Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Graves: President Obama is attacking personal property rights

(From Sixth District Congressman Sam Graves)

Private property rights continue to be attacked by President Obama. In just the past year, we have seen introduction of the Waters of the United States rule, which gives Washington control over standing water on private farms and residences. Then, it was a push to regulate grills in our backyards.

Now, the Obama administration is out with an Executive Order that will completely change how the federal government manages floodplains. I would like to update you on my efforts to fight the President's latest executive overreach.

In January, President Obama issued an Executive Order to redefine a floodplain and add a new Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) to any renovation or new construction project conducted in a floodplain. As this order dramatically expands areas considered to be in a "floodplain," these regulations become more costly and burdensome. The FFRMS would also negate years of work done by states, local governments, and citizens to responsibly develop and manage flood control systems.

This is the same tired story we've seen from the White House since President Obama took office. The FFRMS is a shameful overreach into our private property rights and it must be stopped.

Fortunately, during debate over the Energy and Water Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2016, I was able to secure an amendment that will defund this Executive Order. My amendment passed with bipartisan support and cleared the House of Representatives late last week.

The President cannot simply write his own laws when Congress has rejected his policies. As your Representative, I will continue to do whatever is necessary to block this latest example of an overreaching federal government.

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