WASHINGTON – This morning, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined a bipartisan group of her colleagues to introduce a new bill that would prevent a joint rule from the Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA, known as the Waters of the United States (WOTUS), from taking effect. The legislation, known as S. 1140 – The Federal Water Quality Protection Act, would direct the Obama administration to issue a revised proposal that would set clear limits on federal regulation of water, require consultation with states and impacted stakeholders, and ensure that a thorough economic analysis is conducted.

Senator Fischer released the following statement:

“The proposed WOTUS rule is an attack on the people of Nebraska. Through its unprecedented proposal, the federal government is seeking to extend control over our state’s water. This will have far-reaching consequences and hurt growth, jobs, Nebraska families, and our economy.

“Nebraskans are good stewards of our natural resources and protect our water at the state and local level. I am proud to join my colleagues as an original cosponsor of the Federal Water Quality Protection Act. This legislation will stop the overreach of the Obama administration and prevent a federal takeover of our water resources.”‎

This morning, Senator Fischer joined Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), along with Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) as an original cosponsor of the Federal Water Quality Protection Act.

Senator Fischer has led a number of efforts in the Senate to enhance public input on the rule, including a field hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last month in Lincoln. She has repeatedly urged EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to scrap the rule all together, and has also cosponsored legislation to withdraw the proposed regulation.

    Click here to view the text of
S. 1140 – The Federal Water Quality Protection Act.

 Click here to read Senator Fischer’s op-ed on the WOTUS rule
in the Grand Island Independent.

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