“I am pleased that the House has acted in a strongly bipartisan fashion to protect the successful federal-state partnership that’s been making our waterways cleaner for over 40 years. This bill isn’t anti-environment or anti-clean water. In fact, it’s just the opposite. By preserving this federal-state partnership under the Clean Water Act, we will be able to build upon success stories of the past to keep our waters cleaner in the future. And at a time when hardworking families are struggling to get ahead, we’ve taken an important step forward in restoring the certainty our farmers, manufacturers, and construction and transportation industries need to grow America’s economy.“
H.R. 5078 would:
• Prohibit the EPA and the Army Corps from implementing a proposed rule expanding federal regulatory authority over bodies of water currently managed by or jointly with the states
• Prohibit an additional “interpretive rule” that limits existing exemptions for agriculture conservation practices
• Require federal agencies to consult with state and local officials to identify which waters should be federally regulated and which should be left to the states
NOTE: To watch Rep. Southerland’s floor statement on H.R. 5078, please click here.