U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), along with 46 Senate co-sponsors, introduced a joint resolution on Thursday disapproving the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) that expands the scope of federal authority over land and waterways under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly known as WOTUS.
Ernst’s resolution would nullify this rule, sending a message to the EPA and ACE that they failed to address the concerns raised by farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and small businesses in Iowa and across the country.
“Hardworking Iowans don’t need more Washington bureaucrats from the EPA telling our job creators how best to use their land,” Ernst said. “This ill-conceived rule ignores the thoughtful comments and serious concerns raised by farmers, ranchers, manufacturers and small businesses across the county. Furthermore, its expanded definition causes confusion, uncertainty and unnecessary red tape. Simply put, this one size fits all method is the wrong approach that puts our agriculture community at a disadvantage.
“It is time to put an end to this harmful rule that threatens the livelihood of our rural communities nationwide and to work to establish the needed certainty for our farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, small businesses and other landowners,” Ernst said.