Stop the EPA Act
A roadblock to President Obama’s regulatory agenda
Friends,
President Reagan once said that our “Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” 28 years later, anyone who cashes a paycheck, files their taxes, or even picks up the local newspaper knows that these words ring true just as they did in 1986.
From Atchison County, where I live, to Marion County clear across the state, I speak with people who are worried about our out of control government. I hear stories about how government bureaucrats are becoming increasingly aggressive, and the biggest bully of the bunch, by far, is the EPA.
First the EPA tried to regulate farm dust, which would drive up costs on family farms. Then they went after wood burning stoves used for inexpensive home heating. Now, the President and the EPA are trying to force some of the most crushing regulations on coal power plants in history. What will this mean for Missourians? Higher electric bills.
But few regulations are more damaging than the EPA’s proposed rule to give bureaucrats in Washington a stronger foothold in our backyards. We are talking about control over thousands of small streams, ditches, and ponds, some of which may contain little or no water on private property. This will hurt farmers, livestock producers, home builders, and any industry that relies on land use.
The EPA is putting the squeeze on small businesses and middle class Missourians. Higher costs, longer delays, tighter budgets, and bigger headaches are on the way unless the EPA is not stopped.
It’s time to stop the EPA.
Sincerely,
Sam Graves
Under Graves’ leadership, the Small Business Committee conducted a hearing that focused on EPA regulations impacting small agriculture producers, including EPA attempts to regulate “farm dust.” The EPA subsequently withdrew its proposal in 2012.
Graves conducted a May 29 hearing on how the EPA water rule would impact the Sixth District, which included testimony from former Blue Springs mayor, Tom Woods, as well as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
In a June Transportation subcommittee hearing, Graves asked the EPA and the Corps, both of whom testified, to withdraw their water rule. Graves provided the EPA with specific examples of how the rule would hurt small businesses and farmers in North Missouri.
Graves formed a coalition to ask the EPA to halt its ideological agenda and urge greater cooperation with America’s small businesses and farmers before moving forward with its water rule.
Graves sought local insight on EPA aggression taking place in Platte County, and also began assisting efforts to resist an attempt by the government to claim jurisdiction over a dry, roadside ditch on privately owned farmland in Livingston County.
The EPA announced it would seek greater input before moving forward with the water rule, as requested by Graves.
Earlier this year, Graves signed-on as a co-sponsor to H.R. 4407, legislation that would keep the EPA out of the home heating business.
In order to stop the out-of-control and aggressive EPA regulatory agenda, Graves introduced H.R. 5034, the Stop the EPA Act, to protect Missouri’s middle class families and small businesses.
No Bull: EPA Aggression Threatens Livestock Producers Read more
Stop the EPA Act (H.R. 5034) will allow Congress to serve as a roadblock for any of the senseless regulations that threaten our way of life. It requires the EPA to take a second look at regulations already on the books, deals with regulations currently coming down the pipe, and prevents further harmful regulations in the future.
The best part is, my bill gives Congress a say in all the EPA’s regulations by requiring an up or down vote on any regulation that has an economic impact over $50 million. When it comes down to it, you elected me – not the EPA – and I want to close the flood gates on this administration’s radical regulatory agenda.
- Immediately halts every proposed regulation until the EPA completes a review of all existing regulations
- Requires a retroactive review of all past EPA regulations
- Any regulation with an economic impact over $50 million must be sent to Congress for approval
- Those regulations that are not approved by Congress will no longer be law
- Requires that all new proposed regulations with an economic impact over$50 million must be approved by Congress before they take affect
- No new proposed regulations until the retroactive review is completed and Congress acts to approve