FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2016
Contact: Dan Weber
Edwards: Republicans Waste No Time Once Again Attacking Clean Water Protections
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) issued the following statement regarding two Republicans bills aimed at gutting clean water protections. Yesterday, the House passed H.R. 1644, the STREAM Act, which would block regulations meant to protect streams, rivers, and communities from the devastating effects of mountaintop mining. Today, the House passed S.J. Res 22, a resolution of disapproval of the Administration’s Clean Water Act Rule issued in June 2015. The resolution would invalidate the entire rule and overturn years of work to define “waters of the United States,” reintroducing confusion and uncertainty to regulated industries and concerned communities.
“Last night, President Obama’s State of the Union address urged us to come together to overcome challenges and fix our broken politics. Instead, we again see more of the same from my Republican colleagues. This time, they passed two pieces of legislation that threaten one of our nation’s most vital resources: clean water. 67 percent of Marylanders – 2 out of 3 residents – get their drinking water from sources that rely on small streams. If these measures become law, at least 59 percent of Maryland’s stream miles that feed into our drinking water sources would be at risk of pollution from development and industrial activities. The aim of these actions by the Republican majority is nothing more than to appease their corporate special interests. It is a shame, when we should be debating and addressing issues that will help working families and move the country forward. I look forward to President Obama vetoing both of these irresponsible and destructive measures.”
