©2026 League of Conservation Voters
Issues
Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) sponsored H.J.Res. 78, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval, which would rescind Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for the San Francisco Bay-Delta longfin smelt. The CRA is an extreme and blunt tool that is being used by anti-environmental members of Congress who want to permanently strip away protections for our environment, communities, wildlife, and natural heritage. This resolution would directly undermine the recovery of the Bay-Delta longfin smelt—which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed as endangered in 2024—as well as undercut the ESA’s intent to manage vulnerable species based on the best available science, not politics. Approval of this resolution would also set a dangerous precedent by repealing a rule outside of the established review timeframe for final rules received by Congress. This is not only a violation of the CRA’s clear statutory language, but would also pave the way for future expansion and misuse of the law. On May 1, the House approved H.J.Res. 78 by a vote of 216-195 (House roll call vote 113). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE. The Senate took no action on this legislation in 2025.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters