WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) today issued the following statement after a majority of Senate Democrats blocked the Federal Water Quality Protection Act which would overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) flawed “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule:

“The WOTUS rule is a classic example of overreach. Arkansans don’t need DC bureaucrats controlling our land. That is why I stand with the homeowners, small businesses and family farmers in Arkansas in opposition to the WOTUS mandate.

Instead of joining us to defend private property rights, a majority of Senate Democrats voted to allow this unprecedented expansion of the federal government to move forward. We will continue to fight the Obama Administration’s effort to give Washington control over every body of water in the country.

We already protect water quality through federal-state partnerships. States, local communities and private citizens go to great lengths to protect our natural resources. We must ensure they remain a vital part of the process, instead of giving all of the power to Washington.”

Background: Senator Boozman is a cosponsor of the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, which reins in EPA overreach and gives the EPA direction to write a rule that protects our waters without eroding the rights of landowners.

Last month, a U.S. Circuit Court ruling extended an earlier injunction by a federal district court that blocked implementation in 13 states, including Arkansas. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals extended the earlier injunction to all 50 states.

The Senate will continue efforts to legislatively address this overreach by considering S.J.Res.22, a joint resolution of disapproval of the WOTUS rule. Senator Boozman is an original cosponsor of S.J.Res.22, which is expected to be voted on tomorrow.