Fighting EPA Overreach

Statement

On Wednesday, I cosponsored and supported the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, H.R. 5078. Under the Clean Waters Act, the EPA has created a new rule expanding the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency to redefine "navigable waterways" to include self contained bodies of water that do not expand from state to state. Under these new regulations, farmers will be forced to comply with unnecessary permits and certifications from the federal government. This is unacceptable for small businesses and farmers across the state of Oklahoma.

The EPA is not the only agency to rule by regulation. Congress has abdicated its most important function to bureaucrats in agency offices who make rules and regulations. It is time for Congress to rein in these agencies and promote legislation that prevents federal agencies from overstepping their bounds in state issues.

Consistently we see the federal government pushing to unravel the importance of private property. Private property is a fundamental tenant of self-governance and should be respected. During my time in Congress, I have consistently stood up for private property rights and have opposed an over burdensome EPA. I will continue to fight for Oklahomans against these blatant over-reaches of power.

Source