Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said on Friday that the EPA’s proposal to expand federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act could have “serious consequences” for the nation’s economy.
Cassidy and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) held a field briefing to discuss the impact the rule would have on families, farmers and infrastructure projects.
“This expansion of federal regulatory power could have serious consequences for the nation’s economy, threaten jobs, invite costly litigation and significantly restrict the ability of landowners to make decisions about their property, and the rights of state and local governments to plan for their own development,” Cassidy said. “These actions are yet another example of a disturbing pattern of an imperial presidency that seeks to use brute force and executive action while ignoring Congress.”
The EPA currently has congressional authorization under the Clean Water Act to oversee navigable waterways. The proposed rule would expand that jurisdiction to include non-navigable water on private property, which could force landowners to get permits for specific property uses.
In May, Cassidy joined a group of 231 legislators who asked the EPA to address “legal, economic and scientific deficiencies” of the proposal.
“Additionally, rather than providing clarity and making identifying covered waters ‘less complicated and more efficient,’ the rule instead creates more confusion and will inevitably cause unnecessary litigation,” the lawmakers said.