Rep. Zinke Disappointed in Senate Democrats, But Not Surprised

Statement

Today, Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke expressed his disappointment in Senate Democrats for blocking a vote that would require the President rewrite the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. This rule has widespread opposition spanning various industries and ideologies including, Montana Agricultural Business Association, Montana Building Industry Association, Montana Chamber of Commerce, Montana Coal Council, Montana Contractors Association, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Petroleum Association, Montana Association of Realtors, Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Water Resources Association, Montana Wool Growers Association and the Treasure State Resource Industry Association. Rep. Zinke cosponsored the House version, H.J. Res. 59 and Zinke voted in support of H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, which would require the EPA to withdraw its proposal or finalized rule.

"I wish I could say I was surprised that Senate Democrats are too afraid to stand up to President Obama and his liberal agenda, but I'm not. I'm disappointed that party loyalty has trumped the voices of their own constituents. The Waters of the United States rule is an unconstitutional abuse of executive agency power that would have devastating impacts on Montana's economy," said Rep. Ryan Zinke. "It is unacceptable that the EPA is bypassing Congress and the people to implement regulations that will be carried out by unelected bureaucrats who have never been to Montana and don't know the difference between Bozeman and Billings. Our water resources are precious. The EPA rule will do nothing for conservation, only stifle the economy and infringe on the rights of private property owners across our great state. I commend Senator Daines for standing strong for Montana in the Senate and Attorney General Fox for leading the fight in the courts."

Earlier this year, a judge in North Dakota issued a stay against WOTUS, citing the EPA had adopted an "exceptionally expansive" view of its own jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. According to the Washington Post, "the WOTUS rule "allows EPA regulation of waters that do not bear any effect on the "chemical physical, and biological integrity' of any navigable-in-fact water,' and therefore exceeds the limits on federal regulatory authority identified by the Supreme Court in Rapanos."

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