WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, with bipartisan support by a vote of 262-152.
U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5), who voted to support the legislation, issued the following statement:
“For more than four decades, successful regulation of the nation’s waters has been achieved through a state-federal partnership created by the Clean Water Act. This framework has led to significantly less pollution and cleaner water while respecting states as the primary regulators of waters within their individual borders.
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to expand its authority under the guise of the Clean Water Act would undermine this carefully crafted partnership that is supported by Democrats and Republicans alike.
“Passage of the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act will protect our farmers, landowners and local municipalities by prohibiting the federal government from moving forward with this misguided proposal.”
H.R. 5078 prohibits the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers from finalizing and enforcing a proposed rule that would redefine “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act, or using the rule as a basis for future administrative actions. It is the authority of Congress, not the administration, to change the scope of the Clean Water Act.