This bill is a direct congressional intervention to nullify a specific administrative rulemaking action taken by two federal agencies. The legislation targets a final rule jointly issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that rescinded the longstanding regulatory definition of 'harm' under the Endangered Species Act. By declaring that rule to have no force or effect, the bill seeks to restore the prior regulatory framework that had broadly defined 'harm' to include significant habitat modification or degradation that actually kills or injures wildlife. The bill represents a legislative check on executive agency rulemaking, using Congress's authority to override administrative action it deems contrary to the intent and purposes of the Endangered Species Act.

Who sponsored HR9901?

Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Quigley, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Josh Gottheimer, Ed Case, Frederica Wilson, Steve Cohen, Frank Pallone

What is the status of HR9901?

Introduced as of July 23, 2026.

This bill is a direct congressional intervention to nullify a specific administrative rulemaking action taken by two federal agencies. The legislation targets a final rule jointly issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that rescinded the longstanding regulatory definition of 'harm' under the Endangered Species Act. By declaring that rule to have no force or effect, the bill seeks to restore the prior regulatory framework that had broadly defined 'harm' to include significant habitat modification or degradation that actually kills or injures wildlife. The bill represents a legislative check on executive agency rulemaking, using Congress's authority to override administrative action it deems contrary to the intent and purposes of the Endangered Species Act.

Who sponsored HR9901?

Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Quigley, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Josh Gottheimer, Ed Case, Frederica Wilson, Steve Cohen, Frank Pallone

What is the status of HR9901?

Introduced as of July 23, 2026.

Amendment

119th Congress

H.R.9901

To provide that the final rule of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration titled "Rescinding the Definition of 'Harm' Under the Endangered Species Act" shall have no force or effect.

Introduced

H. R. 9901

Introduced in House · August 28, 2026

July 23, 2026

Mr. Fitzpatrick (for himself and Mr. Quigley) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To provide that the final rule of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration titled “Rescinding the Definition of ‘Harm’ Under the Endangered Species Act” shall have no force or effect.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Nullification of rule relating to definition of harm under Endangered Species Act of 1973.

The final rule issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration titled “Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act” (91 Fed. Reg. 43300; July 14, 2026) shall have no force or effect.

HR9901 U.S. House: Federal HB9901 nullifies a recent rule…