Waters of the U.S. Rule

Floor Speech

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Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to the recently finalized waters of the U.S. rule.

Documents show that the EPA crafted the waters of the U.S. rule behind closed doors, leaving no seat at the table for farmers, business leaders, county and State officials, homebuilders, livestock producers, ranchers, and many others who are concerned by this Federal overreach, and it affects their lives.

Everybody wants clean water--let's all be on the record for that--but we need to respect this process. Stakeholders should have been consulted. The people whose lives are affected by this rule should have been consulted. The EPA's final rule is flawed, and despite attempts by Congress, it is not an improvement over the proposed rule.

The rule still requires farmers and ranchers to get permits for activities on their own land. On their own land. The rule still expands the waters under the EPA's jurisdiction. The rule still hurts manufacturers and States and counties looking to expand economic development projects and looking to expand opportunity.

This rule remains flawed and should be thrown out. I urge Members of Congress to support efforts to stop this job-killing, farm-killing rule that invites lawsuits instead of real solutions. I urge my colleagues in the HoMr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in opposition to the recently finalized waters of the U.S. rule.

Documents show that the EPA crafted the waters of the U.S. rule behind closed doors, leaving no seat at the table for farmers, business leaders, county and State officials, homebuilders, livestock producers, ranchers, and many others who are concerned by this Federal overreach, and it affects their lives.

Everybody wants clean water--let's all be on the record for that--but we need to respect this process. Stakeholders should have been consulted. The people whose lives are affected by this rule should have been consulted. The EPA's final rule is flawed, and despite attempts by Congress, it is not an improvement over the proposed rule.

The rule still requires farmers and ranchers to get permits for activities on their own land. On their own land. The rule still expands the waters under the EPA's jurisdiction. The rule still hurts manufacturers and States and counties looking to expand economic development projects and looking to expand opportunity.

This rule remains flawed and should be thrown out. I urge Members of Congress to support efforts to stop this job-killing, farm-killing rule that invites lawsuits instead of real solutions. I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to support efforts to create a new rule that will truly improve water quality for all Americans and put stakeholders in the process and respect private property.use and Senate to support efforts to create a new rule that will truly improve water quality for all Americans and put stakeholders in the process and respect private property.

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