On Tuesday, the United States House of Representatives voted on the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014 (H.R. 5078) which prohibits the Army Corps and the EPA from developing, finalizing, adopting, implementing, applying, administering, or enforcing their proposed rule expanding their authority over “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. The legislation passed by a vote of 262 to 152. Representative Randy Weber (R-Friendswood), a co-sponsor, voted for the bill and made the following statement:

“Over the years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been increasing their rulemaking and regulating abilities. As a result, our job creators have been greatly stifled, and in turn, our economy has suffered.

After preliminary hearings on the EPA’s proposal, the agency has continually ignored requests from Congress to release all of the maps for public scrutiny. The agency’s lack of transparency is troubling and should not be taken lightly, which is exactly why I co-sponsored and voted for the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014. The EPA must be prevented from moving forward in expanding their jurisdiction over America’s water.”

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