Political Quotes

“My amendment would strike section 431, which repeals the current Clean Water Rule. Without this Clean Water Rule, the streams that supply public drinking water systems to one in three Americans will remain at risk. Mr. Chairman, everyone agreed that clarity was needed in light of the Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006 that created uncertainty about the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act. Calls for EPA to issue a rule even came from such organizations as the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Western Business Roundtable, and the National Association of Manufacturers. The EPA and the Corps solicited comments to clarify the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act, and that included a lengthy and inclusive public rulemaking process that included over 200 days for public comment. The comment period was even extended twice in response to extension requests. The final rule reflected over 1 million public comments in the proposal, the overwhelming majority of which supported the Clean Water Rule. They had 400 meetings across the Nation with various stakeholders. The final Clean Water Rule was robust and ensured that water sources were protected by taking into account the connected systems of water, from wetlands and seasonal bodies of water to large rivers and lakes.…”