Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02) issued the following joint statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s announcement that it will consider a case focused on the scope of the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS):
 
“We are heartened the Supreme Court will hear this crucially important case for rural America. As we have worked to demonstrate through our efforts in Congress and within the Western Caucus, rural communities are dedicated to clean water. Unfortunately, because of the Biden Administration’s actions, the communities we represent are once again faced with the threat of overburdensome and far-reaching regulations by the federal government. We understand that just because a body of water isn’t under federal jurisdiction doesn’t mean there isn’t effective, active water management and protection happening at the state, local, and individual levels. We cannot and should not discount these efforts; instead, we should empower our local conservation efforts to continue promoting clean water for future generations,” said Chairman Newhouse and Rep. Miller-Meeks.
 
They continued, “In light of this development, we call on the Biden Administration to terminate their proposed rulemaking and their attempts to return to the faulty 2015 Obama-Biden WOTUS rule. We remain hopeful the Supreme Court will defend farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and private landowners and provide certainty to those who are working to maintain and protect clean water throughout the United States.”
 
Background:
 
On April 14, 2021, Rep. Miller-Meeks introduced legislation expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that clean water is a national priority and that the NWPR should be maintained. The legislation was introduced with the support of 114 Members of Congress. Chairman Newhouse and Rep. Miller-Meeks penned this op-ed for the Des Moines Register: Rural America is dedicated to clean water.
 
When the Biden Administration announced their intention to revise and remand the NWPR, Chairman Newhouse, Rep. Miller-Meeks, Senator Steve Daines (MT), and Senator Joni Ernst (IA) led Western Caucus Members in a bicameral letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan and Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jaime Pinkham to express their serious concerns and demand answers about the Administration’s plans to reopen the definition of “waters of the United States.” Click here to read the letter and learn more.
 
In November of 2021, Western Caucus Members from across the country issued statements in response to the Administration’s proposed rule. Click here to read more.