Republicans Push to Weaken Crucial Marine Mammal Protections — At What Cost to America’s Oceans?

For more than half a century, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) has stood as a bulwark safeguarding America’s marine wildlife—from majestic whales to resilient seals—while balancing the needs of coastal communities. Today, however, a concerted GOP effort threatens to unravel these protections under the guise of modernizing an effective law. Why Are Republicans Targeting One of America’s Environmental Success Stories? Behind closed doors in Congress, Republican lawmakers—led by Rep. Nick Begich of Alaska—are drafting legislation that would significantly weaken the MMPA. Their rationale? The law supposedly “unduly constrains” fishermen, tribes, and industry. But who truly bears the cost when...