Washington D.C. – Congressman Kevin McCarthy today issued the following statement after President Obama ordered his Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw new smog regulations: 

"I am glad that the President has finally recognized the job-killing potential of these EPA regulations. I introduced legislation earlier this year that would have postponed these regulations in our communities because the Central Valley is already working to comply with strict air standards, and these regulations would have moved the goalposts in a way that would have had catastrophic economic consequences. I commend our communities for the great strides they have made in cleaning our air – having zero air violations last month. I will continue fighting not only to repeal the $29 million fine residents are paying for an old standard, but also to ensure we can continue to reduce pollution and small businesses can create jobs in our communities. I am hopeful that the President will continue down this road of lifting excessive burdens so the economy can grow and we can get people back to work."

In April, Congressman McCarthy introduced legislation, H.R. 1582, that would have required EPA to postpone these new regulations.