WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Sam Graves released the following statement after participating in a joint hearing by the House and Senate on the impact of the Administration’s proposed ‘Waters of the United States’ rule to further expand federal regulations onto private property under the Clean Water Act.

“The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. Yet, time and again we see them expanding this mission and overstepping their authority,” said Graves. “Ensuring that our land and water resources are properly cared for is a sensitive issue and one that is intentionally left to those who are best equipped to maintain them – the states and localities,” he continued.

“By expanding this rule and adding all the bureaucratic red-tape that comes with it, the EPA will only serve to bring confusion to the situation and stunt economic growth.”