The following letter is from NAHB & Jim Tobin for your information. A sample of a key vote letter from NAHB and a set of talking points are attached below.
NAHB Key Vote - Support HR 1732 - Regulatory Integrity Protection Act
Why Congress Should Act Now on the "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) Rule
From NAHB:
The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, on Friday. H.R. 1732 will compel the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the proposed rule on "waters of the U.S." and re-propose a rule after completing a number of missed regulatory requirements. The rule in question, which the EPA and Army Crops are moving rapidly to finalize, will greatly expand the federal government's role in regulating our nation's waters and have an enormous impact on our industry. While NAHB opposes the rule on its substance, NAHB has serious concerns about the lack of adherence to the regulatory requirements for the promulgation of regulations.
A set of talking points, a sample constituent letter, a draft op-ed and list of congressional targets are attached.
The list of targets is Democrat-heavy. Many Democrats believe that we should let EPA make changes to the proposed rule, allow it to be finalized, and then use the "Congressional Review Act" to strike it down. You'll forgive me if I don't quite buy the "trust, but verify" line when dealing with the EPA. There are a set of talking points debunking this line of thinking, as well.
A grassroots alert has already gone out today with all of the information contained in this email; however, I want you to have it at your fingertips. We will also be sending an all-member email tomorrow with a video message from NAHB Chairman Tom Woods.
As always, I appreciate your help with our grassroots outreach. Please take a moment to put a touch on your House members. While oftentimes you are our best grasstops advocates, I am hopeful that this particular issue will resonate with your members and spur them to action. Please contact me, or Courtney Briggs (cbriggs@nahb.org), with any questions.
Please contact NAHB or HBAG with questions or concerns.
