[Conservationists say it weakens all protections for endangered- species habitat and creates a massive entitlement program for developers.] The National Wildlife Federation is vehemently opposed to the Pombo strategy, ... We've dubbed it the extinction bill.

It is a drastic mistake to eliminate the provisions that have to do with the protection of habitat for endangered species. It is my opinion that the Endangered Species Act is 99 percent about protecting critical habitat.

Endangered species are our friends.

What is a fish without a river? What is a bird without a tree to nest in? What is an Endangered Species Act without any enforcement mechanism to ensure their habitat is protected? It is nothing.

I do think we're an endangered species. But that we do have a plan to save the rainforest.

Critical habitat can be the most effective tool for recovering endangered species, but this designation amounts to an extinction plan for the red-legged frog. Despite the fact that habitat destruction is the main reason for the frog's decline, the Bush Administration has excluded from today's decision much of the areas necessary for the long-term survival and recovery of the frog.