Chuck Grassley: “I rise to speak about the issue of EPA regulation of waters of the United States rule. I see it as one of the biggest…”

“I rise to speak about the issue of EPA regulation of waters of the United States rule. I see it as one of the biggest power grabs by an agency in a long time--particularly the EPA. Before I speak on that issue, I wish to bring attention to some headlines that appeared both in Iowa and nationally on this issue. I will quote the Wall Street Journal: ``Watch Out For That Puddle, Soon It Could Be Federally Regulated.'' The next quote is from an Iowa Farm Bureau spokesman: ``Water rule is really about control of land.'' The next quote is from a Farm Bureau spokesman: ``Water rule intrudes on property rights, hurts conservation.'' Farm Bureau spokesman said: ``EPA proposal would regulate all water wherever it flows.'' Farm Bureau spokesman: ``Water rule threatens U.S. agriculture.'' The last quote is also from the a Farm Bureau spokesman: ``Rule is threat to conservation momentum . . . a flood of red tape.'' Last spring the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers published a proposed rule to define ``waters of the United States.'' This is part of a long history of attempts to determine the scope of the Federal Government's jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. The latest proposal has generated no shortage of rhetoric from those concerned about the rule as well as those defending the rule. However, you would be hard pressed to call it a true debate.…”