WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-02) issued the following statement following passage of H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, which requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to withdraw the proposed Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule within 30 days and reaffirms the federal and state partnership to protect water resources.
“Allowing the current administration to continue with WOTUS would have serious consequences for our economy, threaten jobs, and significantly restrict the ability of Hoosiers to make decisions about their property. I heard from constituents across my district about their concerns with this rule, which is why I supported this commonsense legislation to protect Hoosier farmers and landowners from excessive EPA regulations. H.R. 1732 eliminates this overreaching rule by allowing the EPA and Corps to work with state and local governments and stakeholders to craft a rule that is within the scope of jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.”
The bill passed by a vote of 261-155 and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Congress enacted the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972 to establish a federal-state partnership to protect our nation’s waterways. Despite the partnership established under the CWA and the limits to federal authority, the Obama administration has decided to increase the federal government’s scope of federal jurisdiction under the CWA. H.R. 1732 addresses concerns with a proposed rule by the EPA and Corps last year to redefine the “waters of the U.S.” definition under the CWA.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District in Indiana, where she serves as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Agriculture.
