The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Chairs introduced legislation this week to stop EPA from finalizing the clean water rule it sent to the Office of Management and Budget last week – according to The Hagstrom Report. House Ag Chair Michael Conaway is an original sponsor of the bill. Conaway says the U.S. Supreme Court rebuked EPA twice for overstepping its bounds – but the Administration’s response was to double down.
House Ag Ranking Member Collin Peterson says EPA’s proposed rule has the potential to regulate farmers and ranchers out of business – putting the entire rural economy in jeopardy. Peterson says this new legislation is needed because EPA does not seem to grasp the real-world impact the rule would have on farmers and local communities. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy – however – says the agency will get the rule over the finish line – and the final rule will provide the clarity people want – ensuring not to overextend into agriculture.
