Birds and Bills

First drafted in 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act was a landmark law that declared it illegal to kill, capture, or export various species of birds native to the United States. For over 80 years afterwards, this law has formed the cornerstone of American bird conservation, and has succeeded in preserving a number of species that might otherwise have become extinct, such as the snowy egret, the bald eagle, and the swamp sparrow.
Today, however, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is under attack. In June Republican representative Jeff Duncan, of South Carolina, added a "rider" amendment to the budget for commence, Justice, and Science that would essentially prevent the Act from being enforced by federal prosecutors. This is not the first time that has happened. Many energy companies have accused the US Fish and Wildlife Service of selectively targeting them, and Duncan himself once suggested that the Fish and Wildlife Service should lower its fines to these companies.
In a stereotypical black-and-white morality tale, Duncan and the energy companies would be the unambiguous villains, to be brought to justice at the end. Yet it must be said that they, too, have a point to make. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act is strict and uncompromising. If you hurt a native bird, you will be prosecuted, no exceptions.
However, if the energy companies are not held responsible for their actions in some way, they will almost certainly continue to exploit and destroy their natural surroundings to an even greater degree than before. Millions of birds--and other animals--will die as a result of this. Surely there is some way for both parties to be satisfied?

A bald eagle, a species that owes its survival to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Despite being the symbol of the United States, this and other birds may face a threat from a new American law.