Reminder: Please Ask Congress to Save Whales

By Mark J. Palmer

Two pieces of terrible legislation are pending before Congress, with votes expected in the next two weeks.

S. 5653 is called “permit reform,” but what the legislation really does is remove public protections from the US Endangered Species Act, facilitates the building of AI data centers in rural areas, and cuts off public, tribal, and local government input to federal decisions on oil drilling and mining projects. Our land, water, and air will suffer from the passage of S. 5653.

H.R. 9436 would delay any new regulation of lobstermen, whose rope lines entangle and kill North Atlantic right whales, until 2035. Right whales need help now, not by 2035!

If passed by Congress, both pieces of legislation will seriously harm whales, wildlife, and our Earth.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact Your Senators and House Members in Congress Immediately!

URGE THEM TO VOTE NO ON S. 5653, The Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, and H.R. 9436, The Lobstermen Protection Act.

Tell them you want Congress to PROTECT endangered species like the right and gray whales. You do NOT want Congress to EXPLOIT species and put them at greater risk.

By all means, use your own words.

Here’s how to find the two Senators and the House of Representatives member who represent you and your state: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

Each member has a website where there is either a direct link to the office, an email address, or a phone number.

You can also call your member’s office and leave a message. Call the Congressional Switchboard (202) 224-3121, and ask to be connected. You can leave a message or talk to a staff member.

If you wish to send a letter, you can reach your members at the following addresses:

To Senator XXX

US Senate

Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Likely, the House will vote on the legislation shortly after it passes the Senate (which we hope won’t happen).

To Representative XXX

US House of Representatives

House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Write or call your two Senators and Representatives, and urge them to strongly oppose S 5653 and H.R. 9436. Right whales and other endangered species need priority protection, or we will lose them forever. Cite your own feelings about the importance of our wildlife heritage.

Thank you!

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