The Latest: Arizona Dem criticizes GOP sage grouse critics

In this Saturday, April 20, 2013 photo, a pair of male greater sage grouse fight on a lake outside Walden, Colo. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, the Interior Department that the ground-dwelling bird whose vast range spans 11 Western states, does not need federal protections following a costly effort to reverse the species' decline without reshaping the region's economy. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) In this Saturday, April 20, 2013 photo, a pair of male greater sage grouse fight on a lake outside Walden, Colo. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, the Interior Department that the ground-dwelling bird whose vast range spans 11 Western states, does not need federal protections following a costly effort to reverse the species' decline without reshaping the region's economy. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

By Associated Press September 22, 2015 4 min read

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – The latest on the decision not to list the greater sage grouse as threatened or endangered (all times local):

9:35 a.m.

A senior congressional Democrat says Republican criticism of the decision not to give federal protections to the greater sage grouse lacks credibility.

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (gree-HAHL’-vuh) of Arizona says House Republicans attack President Barack Obama when his administration lists a species as endangered and attack him when it decides against a listing, comparing the rhetoric to a game of “Mad Libs.”

The Interior Department said Tuesday that the bird doesn’t need to be listed as threatened or endangered across its 11-state Western range.