WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has vetoed Republican-sponsored bills intended to undo federal protections for two endangered species that have seen their populations plummet over the years: the lesser prairie chicken and northern long-eared bat. The two GOP measures would overturn “science-based rulemaking" that offers important protections for the once-abundant species and would undermine the Endangered Species Act, Biden said. Environmentalists have long sought stronger federal protections for the prairie bird, which they consider severely at risk due to oil and gas development, livestock grazing and farming, along with roads and power lines. Veto of the lesser-prairie chicken measure puts the bird "on a more certain path to recovery,” said Michael Parr, president of American Bird Conservancy. The American public, regardless of party affiliation, overwhelmingly supports the Endangered Species Act and believes it should be fully funded to protect species from extinction.

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Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Bruce Westerman of, “, ”, Michael Parr, ” Jamie Rappaport Clark Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, GOP, Congress, U.S . Fish, Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Natural Resources, Republicans, Washington , D.C, Council, Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental, American Bird Conservancy, of Wildlife, American Locations: Midwest, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado , Oklahoma, Kansas, United States, Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, America, East, South America, Washington ,, Canada, U.S