Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. Chairman, I rise in favor of this bill and against the EPA's ditch rule.

If this rule were to go forward, two things would assuredly occur: less clarity of what waters are jurisdictional under the Clean Water Act for our farmers and ranchers, and more overreach of jurisdiction by the EPA.

This rule joins a long list of initiatives undertaken by the Agency which would increase the regulatory burden on Nebraska's farmers, ranchers, businesses, and everyday citizens.

In my State, multiple organizations banded together to fight this rule. The group calls itself Common Sense Nebraska Coalition. It includes folks that you would expect, such as farmers and ranchers, but what is interesting is that so many others have heard about this and joined in the fight, including the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Bankers Association, county officials, resource districts, the Water Resources Association, homebuilders, general contractors, and the Rural Electric Association. They have all joined in this cause because of its uncertainty and massive jurisdiction under the EPA.

My State supports this bill, and I stand proudly with them.

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