Name: Endangered Species Committee votes to exempt oil, gas activity in Gulf
Uploaded: 2026-03-31T18:30:19.402Z
Duration: 2 min 8 s
Description: The Endangered Species Committee voted Tuesday to exempt oil and gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act protections.

The Endangered Species Committee voted Tuesday to exempt oil and gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act protections.

Washington

A U.S. government panel, known as the 'God Squad,' met for the first time in nearly 35 years to consider exempting oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico from Endangered Species Act protections. The committee ultimately voted to allow the exemption, citing national security and energy supply concerns raised by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The decision was met with condemnation from environmental advocates, who warned that the move could threaten whale populations and set a precedent affecting wildlife protections nationwide. The Gulf currently produces over 10% of U.S. oil, and the exemption is seen as significant for future energy development.

Endangered Species Committee votes to exempt oil, gas activity in Gulf

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Breakdown