Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2013

Floor Speech

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the so-called ``Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act,'' which would roll back clean water protections and allow untracked pesticide pollution in our rivers and streams.

More than two and a half years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency put in place basic pesticide protections by requiring a general permit for the direct application of pesticides into waterways. Nearly 2,000 waterways are already contaminated by pesticides, harming fish and amphibians and potentially accumulating in people who eat those fish. The commonsense permit does not affect land applications of pesticides, maintains existing agricultural exemptions, and allows for immediate spraying to protect the public from vector-borne diseases.

Today's legislation would roll back the permitting rule, leaving pesticide application unmonitored and our waterways vulnerable to contamination. I urge a ``no'' vote.

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