On the recordSeptember 9, 2014
Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the chairman of the full committee and the ranking member as well. I stand in strong support of H.R. 5078 because it represents another administration overreach that will impact our entire economy. Under the vague regulation proposed by the EPA and the Corps, Federal power will grow and tie up our agriculture, construction, and energy industries in even more red tape. Expanding the scope of Federal jurisdiction will require many more Clean Air permits, which will mean more permitting delays, and more permitting delays means fewer jobs. During the August recess, I traveled all across the State of West Virginia and met with farmers who were particularly concerned, construction workers, miners, and many others, who are very, very upset about the EPA's regulatory assault that is costing us West Virginia jobs. We should support this bill today, reject this proposed rule, and send Federal officials back to the drawing board to work with State and local leaders on a jurisdictional water rule that makes sense for our economy and our environment.
