In light of the senseless hunting and poaching of endangered species in Africa, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), announced he will introduce the Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies Act to curb the sport killing of species proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

The Republican majority in Congress will most likely block or defeat this bill. Above all, Republicans protect their benefactors, the rich and powerful. That is the reason they continually defeat proposed laws that protect animals and the environment or vote to de-fund programs that protect them.

For instance, Republicans recently voted against proposed regulations that would protect rivers, streams and wetlands from contamination so agricultural and chemical companies can save money and dump toxins into waters rather than safely dispose of them. Congressional Republicans are attempting to mitigate the president’s ability to designate wilderness areas as protected national monuments and national parks. They want to require congressional approval of these designations and add long delays and roadblocks to the process. Republicans masterminded the unconscionable “Ag-Gag” bills that make it a crime to document cruelty and abuse of helpless animals in factory farms. And they routinely propose budget cuts to the EPA, conservation funds and other protective entities.

In the 1970s, when I became eligible to vote, I registered as a Republican. Plenty of Republicans cared about the environment and animals. But now, with the influence of the billionaire Koch brothers, the Tea Party and their ilk, the party almost exclusively backs wealth, power and greed. So I became a Democrat.

Unfortunately, much of the electorate ignores the unconscionable deeds of the Republican Congress. They keep electing them, which is essentially a death sentence for many innocent animals and for our environment. But they don’t care.