Thune Statement on Bill to Overturn Far-Reaching WOTUS Rule

@SoDakCampaigns

thuneheadernew John_Thune,_official_portrait,_111th_CongressThune Statement on Bill to Overturn
Far-Reaching WOTUS Rule

“This rule … extends the reach of the federal
government to the ponds, ditches, and streams in
Americans’ backyards.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after a majority of Senate Democrats blocked the Federal Water Quality Protection Act (S. 1140), legislation which would overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:

“The Obama EPA’s WOTUS rule – of the largest federal land grabs in history – is yet another example of this administration’s fondness for regulatory overreach. This rule threatens more fines and increased costs for farmers, ranchers, and landowners in every corner of my state and extends the reach of the federal government to the ponds, ditches, and streams in Americans’ backyards. Unfortunately, a majority of Senate Democrats blocked an opportunity to stop this rule, but my colleagues and I will continue to fight to overturn this massive overstep.”

Thune is a co-sponsor of the Federal Water Quality Protection Act. This bipartisan bill would direct the EPA to scrap its current proposal and ensure future proposals do not include ponds, ditches, agriculture water, storm water, and certain other areas not typically regulated under the federal Clean Water Act.

The WOTUS rule has proved problematic across the country. Already, 31 states have filed lawsuits against the WOTUS rule. An October decision by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals extended to all 50 states an earlier injunction from a federal district court that blocked implementation in 13 states, including South Dakota.

Thune urged his colleagues to support the Federal Water Quality Protection Act earlier today on the Senate floor. Click here to watch Thune’s remarks.

###

2 thoughts on “Thune Statement on Bill to Overturn Far-Reaching WOTUS Rule”

  1. Please quit issuing press releases on the democrats blocking legislation. Just defund and actually do something. This GOP majority is an absolute disappointment. We need new players.

    1. Exactly. There was so much hype on this blog after last fall’s election that the majority of seats republicans won in the House and Senate would change Washington. The only change I’ve seen are more and more press releases from our delegation. Yawn. Oh, and lots of applauding. And Kristi Noem visiting a reservation, pretending to care.

Comments are closed.