The Defense Supplemental Appropriations/Rescissions Bill, H.R. 889, reprogrammed 1995 spending levels for many federal agencies to pay for peacekeeping in Haiti and other unplanned military missions. Emergency spending legislation is almost always guaranteed passage and, therefore, becomes an inviting target for unrelated amendments.

During Senate floor debate on H.R. 889, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) offered an amendment to eliminate $1.5 million remaining in the Fish & Wildlife Service's 1995 budget for "listing" (designating) new endangered species -- the first step towards species recovery. The small sum belies the importance of the action. More than 100 species of plants and animals slated to be listed in 1995 remain unprotected.

On March 16, 1995, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), ranking minority member of the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), which has jurisdiction over the Endangered Species Act, moved to table (kill) the Hutchison amendment. The tabling motion was defeated 38 - 60. YES is the pro-environment vote.

President Clinton signed H.R. 889 into law on April 10, 1995.