NFIB Issues Key Vote Alert
For Immediate Release
Andrew Wimer, 202-314-2073 or 703-298-5938 (cell)
Follow NFIB on Twitter @NFIB
Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewWimer
Washington,
DC (January 12, 2016) –The National
Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has issued a key
vote alert to members of Congress on the expected House vote to reject the
Waters of the United States rule. Small businesses are concerned that the rule
could make development of property complex and expensive. The rule also failed
to consider the financial impact of the rule on small business as required by
law.
“The
Waters of the United States rule would make developing property a nightmare for
small businesses,” said Amanda Austin,
NFIB Vice President of Public Policy. “Small businesses simply don’t have
the resources to pay the fees and hire the consultants to help them navigate
the Clean Water Act. The Environmental Protection Agency didn’t even bother to
consider how this rule would affect small firms with limited ability to cut
through the red tape.”
The
House of Representatives is expected to vote on S.J.Res. 22, a Congressional
Review Act resolution of disapproval of the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers
Water of the United States rule, Wednesday afternoon. The Senate has already
passed the legislation.
NFIB
and other organizations are challenging the rule in court. Currently, the 6th
Circuit Court has placed a nationwide injunction blocking enforcement of the
rule.
“Congress
needs to make it clear that the administration has overstepped their
boundaries,” said Austin. “The EPA is trying to use an old law to expand its power.
Congress limited the law to navigable waters, not the seasonal streams, ditches
and ponds that are under state jurisdiction. We are hoping that a strong vote
demonstrates that this is an example of executive overreach.”
More information on the rule is available at www.nfib.com/waters.
#####
