Senator Kempthorne's attempt to amend S. 2237, the Department of Interior Appropriations Bill with S. 1180, the ESA Reauthorization Act, caused such a controversy that Majority Leader Trent Lott pulled the bill from consideration and stopped the debate. Kempthorne failed to obtain the necessary votes to amend S. 1180 onto the Interior Bill and is said to be working on amendments behind the scene to garner enough votes to bring it up as a stand-alone bill.

Senators Inhofe (R-OK), Shelby (R-AL) and Sessions (R-AL) have kept their promise to the property rights movement by actively fighting Kempthorne and his attempts to pass S.1180. In fact, Shelby and Sessions both are willing to offer the Motion to Table Kempthorne's amendment to the Interior Appropriations Bill if necessary.

However, last week, it was reported that Senator's Lott (R-MS) and Daschle (D-SD) were leading efforts to obtain enough amendments to pass S. 1180 as a stand-alone bill. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats wish to appear as being the party that killed ESA reform. So, both are trying the old political ploy of having enough Senators add their pet amendments to the bill so they will vote for its passage. This should be watched very closely.

Latest indications are that the Interior Appropriations Bill will probably be wrapped up into an Omnibus Appropriations Bill at the end of the Session with very little chance of Kempthorne or any other Senator adding amendments. Hopefully, session will end before Kempthorne and others obtain enough political cover to pass his bill. With Kempthorne ending his Senatorial career this term, this is his last shot. He will be watching for any available avenue.

Never say never. Call your Senator once again and tell them to oppose ESA reauthorization. Keep the heat on until the Senate adjourns. Congress is scheduled to go home October 9th. Overview of S1180

If you have tried to call Liberty Matters FAXBACK or have missed your Liberty Matters News Service faxes, it is due to the turbulent weather New England has faced this month. A storm blew through that knocked out power and services to many in the New England States. Unfortunately, the lightning also damaged our computer equipment. We are working to bring everything back on line ASAP so please be patient. In the interim, we are sending alerts by e-mail and posting news on the Website, http://www.libertymatters.org  If you are not already on the e-mail list, please call and give us your address. Thanks for your understanding and patience

An alarming development in their war against industrial corporations, environmental groups petitioned the Attorney General of California to revoke the Corporate Charter of Unocal Corp, a large oil company. The petition requested that revocation was needed because the company "pollutes the environment and engages in business with oppressive foreign governments." The petition was denied, however, look for more of the same tactics to be used in the future.

The US Fish & Wildlife Service announced this week that the San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat would continue under the "emergency" listing set in January of this year. The rat inhabits 3,250 acres in Southern CA in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Local officials were not amused, San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger stated "this valley is overrun with kangaroo rats I doubt they are in any real danger."

Trial was scheduled to begin in the property rights case, Hage v. United States Monday, September 28^th, but the presiding Judge was delayed in Washington D.C. with the flue. The Judge rescheduled the opening of the trial by a few days to Thursday, October 1^st. We will keep you updated as events unfold. Check our website at "What's New" for information as it becomes available