U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) issued the following statement today applauding the EPA's decision to repeal the Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that would have given the federal government unprecedented authority to regulate virtually all water flows in America, including ditches and farmland ponds:
"This is welcome news for Texas farmers, ranchers and land owners. The Obama Administration's WOTUS rule was a massive EPA federal power grab by unelected government bureaucrats that uniquely hurt rural communities and trampled on private property rights. I commend EPA Administrator Pruitt for restoring common sense and returning decision making authority back to our local communities -- and away from bureaucrats in Washington, DC."