HOUSECOMMITTEE MOVES HR 2018 OUT OF COMMITTEE
CHARLESTON -- This morning the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives passed out of Committee by a recorded vote of 35-20 the “Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011” (H.R. 2018).
HR 2018 is a bipartisan bill that would rein in the Obama EPA. It would bring an end to the agency’s destructive abuse of authority and restore the balance needed to get America working again.
The bill has major implications for the Friends of Coal and the 63,000 West Virginia families whose livelihoods depend on mining coal.
In recent years, the Obama EPA has used the CWA permitting process to block coal mines in Appalachia, but coal mining isn’t the only industry threatened by EPA’s arrogance. Quarries, farmers, and commercial, residential, and infrastructure construction projects also receive CWA scrutiny and are potentially affected by EPA’s abuse of its authority.
Five Democrats voted in favor of the legislation. Among them was Rep. Nick Rahall.(3rd District, WV).
An amendment by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) clarifying that pending permits receive the same treatment as prospective permits under the legislation was agreed to by a voice vote.
“It would be better if they followed the rules and did not try to change the law through guidance and Memos of Understanding. But when they do, when they abuse their powers, the Congress has the Constitutional responsibility to serve as a check on them. This is clearly such a time,” Rahall said in explaining his vote. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has signaled his intention to bring this legislation to the floor for a full House vote in July.
The West Virginia Coal Association and Friends of Coal will continue to work to encourage members of Congress to vote in support of this legislation should it be brought to the House floor. We would like to thank Reps. Rahall and Capito, their colleagues in the House and all of our Friends of Coal for their help in getting this vital piece of legislation out of Committee and on its way to a vote by the full House of Representatives.