ICYMI: House Ag GOP Members Speak Against Biden EPA's Burdensome WOTUS Rule
Washington,
March 10, 2023
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 27, a Waters of the United States (WOTUS) resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act. Prior to passage, Republican Members of the House Committee on Agriculture called out the egregious and flawed Biden WOTUS rule on the House floor. Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15): "Make no mistake about it, this rule isn’t about clean water. It’s about the Biden EPA’s appetite for power. America’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners deserve a WOTUS definition that is fair to agriculture and maintains the historical reach of the Clean Water Act—neither of which is accomplished by the Biden Administration’s flawed rule." Full remarks HERE. Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), lead sponsor of the resolution: "Put simply, this rule is the equivalent of a nuclear warhead aimed right at our farmers, communities, home builders, road builders, and private property owners among many others." Full remarks HERE. Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01): "This rule removes protections put in place by the previous administration that would protect farmers and ranchers and small business owners from potential fines and even jail time for carrying out common practices they've done for years." Full remarks HERE. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-01): "The definition that's being put forward by the Biden Administration is something that's undoing what the Trump Administration had trying to bring it back to reasonable... this isn't working, it's not working at all." Full remarks HERE. Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01): "While President Biden would like to federally regulate every small stream, ditch, and puddle from sea to shining sea, American producers have been the careful custodians of their own resources for centuries. They are the original conservationists and their livelihoods already depend on their voluntary efforts to care for their water resources." Full remarks HERE. Rep. John Duarte (CA-13): "The Supreme Court has been dealing with this for years and if we don't get it right here, and keep the agencies honest, we are going to have a real food shortage on our hands." Full remarks HERE. Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03): "Underneath these new rules, over 85% of the waterways in Wisconsin's Third District would be subject to EPA regulation. In many places, these rule changes will actually harm the environment, as many of my farmers in the district are pioneers in environmental stewardship." Full remarks HERE. |