Press Releases

Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 5078, the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act, a bill that prevents the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from expanding Federal jurisdiction over “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. H.R. 5078, upholds the current federal-state partnership to regulate the Nation’s waters and prohibits an interpretive rule that would allow the EPA to regulate almost any collection of water in the United States, including puddles, ditches, and small farmland ponds. 

“As I spoke with farmers across the Eighth District over August, I consistently heard concerns about the EPA’s aggressive overreach,” said Bucshon.  “This new regulation was drafted without input from states or stakeholders, which explains why it just does not make sense.  The federal government already has jurisdiction over navigable waters and does not need further authority to start regulating puddles on personal properties or farmland ponds.  The ambiguous language in the regulation gives the EPA undefined authority and leaves our farmers in limbo. I’m proud to support this bill today to protect Hoosier farmers and I’m hopeful the Senate acts on this common-sense measure immediately.”