Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of H.R. 2018, the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011. As a member of the Water Subcommittee and cosponsor of this bill, I applaud Chairman Mica, Chairman Gibbs, and Ranking Member Rahall for bringing forward this important bipartisan legislation. H.R. 2018 seeks to reverse the erosion of the States' authority and partnership with the Federal Government under the Clean Water Act. This well-established and effective partnership has come under increasing attack by the EPA under the Obama administration, and the EPA has progressively undermined the States' shared regulatory authority. Our bill preserves the system of cooperative federalism established under the Clean Water Act, and in which the primary responsibilities for water pollution control are allocated to the States. The bill restrict's EPA's ability to second-guess or delay a State's permitting in water quality certification decisions under the CWA once the EPA has already approved a State's program. We must put an end to the EPA's one-size-fits-all, and the economy stifling agenda. This bill ensures a commonsense regulatory regime that protects our environment while at the same time protecting our Nation's farmers, miners, and other businesses critical to our economy. This bill addresses one of the many areas in which the EPA has overstepped its authority and taken actions that are deeply hurtful to our economy.…”