On the recordDecember 8, 2011
I am proud to support yet another jobs bill put forth by House Republicans to empower small business owners and eliminate burdensome Washington regulations that prevent job creation and hinder economic growth. This bill prevents the EPA from issuing new dust regulations. Additionally, it gives states the flexibility to address any rural dust issues rather than the federal government. During this debate we have heard a lot about the need to protect our air quality and the need to ensure clean air for future generations. As the grandson of a farmer, I know the value and importance agriculture producers place on protecting the soil and water they use to grow quality food to feed the country. I would argue there are no greater stewards of the land than farmers, and that additional rules on these hard-working Americans to regulate rural dust are not only unnecessary, they can be detrimental. In this time of record unemployment, Washington should be on the side of job creators and family farmers, not on their backs. We should support smart regulations that instill confidence in job creators, not abusive red tape that only leads to closed farms and longer unemployment lines. You don't have to take my word for it though. Just listen to some of my constituents: Mr. Cummins of Canton writes, ``Their proposed regulations on milk spills or dust . . . would create undue hardships and be economically unfeasible to attain.'' Mr.…
