WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) today released the following statement regarding House passage of bipartisan legislation to block the Obama administration from implementing a proposed rule to radically expand the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.
“President Obama’s EPA is attempting to expand the definition of ‘navigable waterways’ to include every drainage ditch, backyard pond and puddle – a radical move that threatens the ability of landowners to make decisions regarding their own private property,” Scalise said. “If the proposed rule is allowed to move forward, this far-reaching, extremist regulation will lead directly to higher prices, costly litigation and the further loss of American jobs. As evidenced today, the House is committed to fighting the continued abuses and attempted overreach by the Obama Administration.”