Little Apple Times

U.S. Representative Tracey Mann from Kansas has expressed approval of a recent announcement by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin regarding the Trump Administration's decision to revise the definition of "waters of the United States" (WOTUS). The revision aims to provide a clearer and more simplified understanding of WOTUS.

Rep. Mann emphasized, “Nearly two years ago, the Supreme Court made it clear that President Biden’s EPA abused the Clean Water Act to enact regulatory chaos with their definition of WOTUS.” He continued, highlighting the importance for farmers and agricultural producers to have a consistent definition that aids them in their work. “Today’s announcement is a win for Kansas farmers, rural communities, and private landowners," he stated.

The congressman has been an outspoken critic of what he describes as regulatory overreach related to WOTUS. In December 2022, he criticized the Biden Administration's expanded definition which included ponds and streams. Further actions taken by Rep. Mann include leading efforts in January 2023 to challenge this rule before a Supreme Court decision on Sackett v. EPA was made.

In March 2023, Rep. Mann supported advancing a Congressional Review Act aimed at overturning the Biden Administration's rule on WOTUS, although it was later vetoed by President Biden. Despite this setback, Rep. Mann voted to override the veto.

Following a unanimous ruling in May 2023 by the Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA that limited EPA's authority, Rep. Mann expressed his support for the decision. In August 2023, he responded critically to further revisions made by the Biden Administration that removed certain standards for determining water coverage under the Clean Water Act.

Additionally, Rep. Mann has introduced legislation proposing an advisory committee within the U.S Department of Agriculture to assess how such regulations impact agriculture production and food supply chains.

For more information on Rep. Mann visit www.mann.house.gov