Rep. Yoho Works to Rein in the EPA and USACE’s Authority

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL-03) was joined today by 90 of his colleagues – in a bipartisan letter - asking that any funding which can be used to change the definition of waters under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act (CWA), be stopped. The letter was sent to Chairman Hal Rogers and Ranking Member Nita Lowey of the House Committee on Appropriations.

On March 25, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), issued a draft rule to amend the (CWA) redefining “waters of the United States” giving EPA and USACE expanded authority over regulated bodies of water, and, in some cases, private property. Additionally, EPA introduced a “connectivity report,” claiming that all bodies of water, no matter the size, are connected. This report is in direct contradiction of the Supreme Court decision that clearly upholds the policy that isolated wetlands could not be considered “waters of the United States” for purposes under the CWA.

Congressman Yoho gave the following statement:

“On September 9, 2014, I voted for the H.R. 5078 — Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act. This bill would stop the regulatory expansion by the federal government. Today, I am following that action with a letter to the House Committee on Appropriation asking to withhold funding used to change the definition of waters under the Clean Water Act. Changing the definition of “waters of the United States,” is going to have a negative effect on our economy and will most likely hinder job creation.  Private citizens, local farmers, and businesses in my district and across the country, will be subjected to new mandates that they neither have the resources to meet nor a valid environmental cause justifying compliance. Government needs to get out of the way of citizens trying to make a living and focus on build a stronger economy.”

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Congressman Ted Yoho serves on the Foreign Affairs and Agriculture Committees. He represents North Florida’s 3rd Congressional District