Congress considering revisions to Endangered Species Act News
Congress considering revisions to Endangered Species Act

[JURIST] The US House Resources Committee [official website] is considering Wednesday possible changes to the Endangered Species Act [text, PDF], which has been in effect for 32 years. Rep. Richard Pombo [official website] has introduced [press release] the bipartisan Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act of 2005 (TESRA) [PDF summary], and the House committee is expected to vote on the bill Thursday. The act would not require the government to set aside critical habitat for threatened plants and animals, which makes many environmentalists worry about taking away a key to many species' survival. Pombo has said the bill compensates for the elimination of critical habitat by strengthening the focus on species recovery. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.