EPA

WASHINGTON, October 9, 2015– On Friday, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit based in Cincinnati issued a nationwide stay blocking the Obama administration’s highly controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency.

State legislators from across the country believe the rule violates the Tenth Amendment and sets a dangerous precedent for federal intrusion. In total, more than 30 states have sought legal action against the rule.

“A stay temporarily silences the whirlwind of confusion that springs from uncertainty about the requirements of the new rule and whether they will survive legal testing,” the court said.

In July, Tennessee State Representative Sheila Butt (R-Columbia) led a successful campaign to join Tennessee to the case presented to the Sixth Circuit.

“I was thankful to join Rep. Butt in taking on the EPA,” said State Rep. Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro). “I share the concerns of my constituents, farmers, the Farm Bureau, and the attorney generals of many surrounding states in that the Waters of the United States rule is an overreach of the EPA that encroaches on states’ rights. Today we got some great news, but the fight isn’t over.”

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MURFREESBORO, Tenn., July 24, 2015– On Thursday evening, responding to calls from sixty-three Tennessee lawmakers, the Tennessee Farm Bureau, and many other agriculture and small business organizations, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery joined the State of Tennessee to a lawsuit against the EPA challenging the highly controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

The effort was led by Tennessee State Representative Sheila Butt (R-Columbia). “Slatery showed true leadership by joining Ohio’s litigation against the EPA’s vastly overreaching WOTUS rule,” said Butt. “I want to thank the sixty-three legislators signing my letter requesting that Tennessee join the 30 other states that realize the massive negative impact that the rule would have on their states’ economies and sovereignty.”

Butt’s letter was signed by State Representative Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro) and State Representative Andy Holt (R-Dresden).

Terry says the EPA’s WOTUS rule has negative implications for personal liberty and property rights.

“I would like to commend Slatery for taking action. Our farmers and families need to know that our officials will take a stand for their liberties and property rights,” said Terry. “By taking a stand against the EPA, we are doing just that.”

Holt, Vice Chairman of Tennessee’s House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, says the EPA has a history of thumbing its nose at the Tenth Amendment.

“Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court reprimanded the EPA for overstepping their authority in an unprecedented manner,” cited Holt. “I want to thank Slatery and the agriculture community for joining the efforts of the legislature to hold the EPA accountable. Trampling on the Tenth Amendment every day, this unconstitutional federal agency is out of control, and it is time to put a stop to it.

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Rep. Terry: Obama’s EPA Rule Blocked By Federal Court

REP. TERRY: Tennessee Joins EPA Lawsuit