The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted in 1973 to preserve and protect threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Scientists estimate that scores of species worldwide become extinct every day. The ESA is our nation's bulwark against this tide of extinction; however, there are several reasons for the continuing loss of our nation's species. The Endangered Species Act is grossly underfunded; therefore, species may be ""listed"" as threatened or endangered, but it may take up to 10 years to implement a recovery plan. Agencies can fail to implement recovery of species in a timely manner because many duties that the Act assigns to the Executive Branch do not have deadlines. Moreover, implementation of the law has focused largely on individual species rather than ecosystems.

Representatives Gary Studds (D, MA-10), John Dingell (D, MI-16), and other Members have introduced the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1992 (H.R. 4045) to reauthorize and strengthen the ESA. H.R. 4045 would set deadlines for the timely development and implementation of recovery plans. The Amendments give priority to developing recovery plans and habitat conservation plans for ecosystems, strengthening enforcement and authorizing increased funding to implement the ESA.

The League of Conservation Voters considers cosponsorship of H.R. 4045 to be a very strong indication of support for biodiversity protection. Currently, 108 Representatives have cosponsored the Endangered Species Act Amendments.