Graves Celebrates Official End of Obama WOTUS Rule

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06) joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Andrew Wheeler, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, R.D. James, and agricultural and business leaders-including the American Farm Bureau Federation-to officially kill the Obama-era "Waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) rule.

Graves released the following statement after the event:

"The Obama Administration's WOTUS rule was never about ensuring water quality – it was about the federal government trying to grab as much control as it could over the lives of Americans everywhere. It was a blatant over-reach of the federal government, and I was appalled that farmers, small businesses, and many others were forced to comply with such far-reaching and burdensome regulations put in place by unelected bureaucrats. Today is a great day for the countless number of rural Missourians who fought this onerous rule from the start. With the help of President Trump and his administration, we have succeeded in protecting our rural way of life," said Rep. Graves.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst:

"Repealing the WOTUS (Waters of the U.S.) rule puts an end once and for all to one of the worst ideas to ever come out of Washington, DC. President Trump has made good on his promise to fix this problem. Anyone whose livelihood is working the land simply could not comply no matter what they did. WOTUS had to go and we appreciate the efforts of this Administration and members of the Missouri Congressional delegation to make it happen."