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Montana House votes to nullify Endangered Species Act

Montana House votes to nullify Endangered Species Act

MATT GOURAS, Associated Press

HELENA — The Montana House has overwhelmingly endorsed a plan to disregard the federal law protecting endangered and threatened species.

Republicans enthused by Gov. Brian Schweitzer's recent tough talk on wolves led a 61-39 vote Saturday to nullify the federal Endangered Species Act in Montana.

Tea party politics in the Legislature have spawned increasing belief in an 18th-century doctrine that purported to give states the ultimate say in constitutional matters. Critics dismiss the notion as unconstitutional since federal laws are supreme.

Dispatching with the Endangered Species Act would cost Montana roughly $1 billion in federal funds.

Reps. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, and Wendy Warburton, R-Havre, voted for the resolution. Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, voted no.

Schweitzer recently encouraged ranchers to shoot protected wolves harassing their livestock. But the governor says he doesn't support nullification.

The bill faces one more usually procedural vote before it passes the House.

HELENA — The Montana House has overwhelmingly endorsed a plan to disregard the federal law protecting endangered and threatened species.

Republicans enthused by Gov. Brian Schweitzer's recent tough talk on wolves led a 61-39 vote Saturday to nullify the federal Endangered Species Act in Montana.

Tea party politics in the Legislature have spawned increasing belief in an 18th-century doctrine that purported to give states the ultimate say in constitutional matters. Critics dismiss the notion as unconstitutional since federal laws are supreme.

Dispatching with the Endangered Species Act would cost Montana roughly $1 billion in federal funds.

Reps. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, and Wendy Warburton, R-Havre, voted for the resolution. Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, voted no.

Schweitzer recently encouraged ranchers to shoot protected wolves harassing their livestock. But the governor says he doesn't support nullification.

The bill faces one more usually procedural vote before it passes the House.

 

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