By Zack Sharf
Plus IconZack Sharf
Digital News Director
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James McCauley/Variety Leonardo DiCaprio is marking Earth Day by calling on his 60 million Instagram followers to contact members of the U.S. House of Representatives and urge them to vote “no” on a bill that seeks to dismantle the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which was signed into law by Richard Nixon in 1973. The ESA is the primary law protecting and conserving species in the U.S. from extinction.
“Today, on Earth Day of all days, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote to gut the Endangered Species Act (ESA), trading the future of life on Earth for the short-term economic gain of a wealthy few,” DiCaprio wrote in a statement on Instagram. “The ESA was signed into law over 50 years ago by President Nixon after passing 92-0 in the Senate and 355-4 in the House, ensuring the safeguarding of species and ecosystems that sustain us. Today’s bill would devastate the most vulnerable species, which are essential to functioning ecosystems.” “I urge the House to reject this existential threat to our national security and choose to protect and recover species, and defend the living systems we all depend on,” the Oscar winner added. “Call your U.S. Representative today to urge them to vote ‘no’ on the ESA Amendments Act of 2025 (H.R. 1897). U.S. Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121.”
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