# Plain Language Summary: American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act

This bill makes two main changes to how the federal government protects endangered animals. First, it prevents the government from protecting any animal species that doesn't naturally live in the United States. So if a species is only found in Africa, Asia, or anywhere else outside U.S. borders, the government couldn't use the Endangered Species Act to protect it, even if it's on the brink of extinction. Currently, the government can protect non-native species if they're threatened or endangered, but this bill would eliminate that ability.

The second part of the bill restricts how the government can spend money to help endangered species. Right now, the government can use federal funds to buy or lease land anywhere in the world to create habitats for endangered animals. This bill would stop that practice. The government could still spend money on conservation efforts within the United States, but it couldn't use federal dollars to purchase land or water rights in other countries for species protection purposes. This means conservation projects that currently operate internationally—like protecting rainforests to save jaguars or wetlands to save migratory birds—would lose access to this type of federal funding.

The practical effect is that endangered animals found only outside the U.S. would lose federal legal protection, and international conservation efforts funded by American taxpayers would be significantly limited. Environmental groups argue this could harm species that migrate between countries or depend on international ecosystems, while supporters of the bill contend it prioritizes protecting American wildlife and keeps federal spending focused domestically.

American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act

Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act This bill limits the protection of endangered or threatened species to species that are native to the United States. In addition, the bill prohibits certain funding for endangered or threatened species from being used to acquire lands, waters, or other interests in foreign countries.