The House once again passed the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, sponsored by Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), as 25 Democrats joined 231 Republicans to pass H.R. 953 with a vote of 256 to 165.
The bill would exempt pesticide applications from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit (PGP) requirements. The environment, including waterways, are already protected from pesticide applications through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), making costly NPDES PGP requirements redundant.
Last year, a modified version of this bill, called the Zika Vector Control Act, would have limited the exemption only to applications made before Sept. 30, 2018 and meant to kill mosquitos. The Zika Vector Control Act passed the House but was unable to pass in the Senate.
This year, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act would apply to all pesticide applications, not just those meant to kill mosquitoes, and would not be limited to applications made before a certain date.
Congressman Gibbs did a fantastic job on the House floor combatting arguments that incorrectly claim this bill would harm the environment. Several Democrats, including the House Agriculture Committee’s ranking member, Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), also spoke in favor of the bill along with House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).
Some members of Congress, like Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), continued to incorrectly claim that this bill would repeal regulations that prevent fish kills and that the paperwork and recordkeeping requirements aren’t costly.
Thankfully, and in no small part thanks to NAAA, the House listened to the facts and voted to pass this vital piece of legislation. The bill now heads to the Senate where it will hopefully be attached to a larger piece of legislation and be enacted into law later in the 115th United States Congress.
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