Tennessee Joins Lawsuit Against EPA

Last Thursday, 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).

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.”

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.”