In response to Mr. Dorman (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

Congress may write law and a President may sign the bill into law, but it is the bureaucracy that finalizes the regulations. Congress routinely writes law that is vague (on purpose) and requires interpretation by various Exec. branches. These regulations have the power of law and are adjudicated in an Administrative Court. As I and other farmers have found out "the hard way" one is guilty and must prove their innocence in these courts - that requires a DC lawyer with a $400 an hour price tag. The penalties can be harsh; fines even imprisonment or loss of professional licenses.

If you are not familiar with these courts I suggest you do your due diligence. You may learn something and discover how ignorant you really are.

It has gone around for a few decades now that water that collects in ponds or dare I say puddles are subject to the clean water act, because they may drain into a navigatable creeks or streams. Senator Grassley and others have fought the "Swamp" in their efforts to expand their jurisdiction. Rural people and farmers, ranchers are the most prone to heavy-handed ness by the EPA among others. They are supposed to have a public hearing before a regulation goes into effect, but they may not always side with good common sense, and just charge ahead.

Thus: Background

Under Section 401, a federal agency may not issue a license or permit to conduct any activity that may result in any discharge into navigable waters unless the state or tribe where the discharge would originate either 1) issues a Section 401 water quality certification finding "that any such discharge will comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307" of the CWA, or 2) certification is waived. 33 U.S.C. 1341(a)(1). The scope of state and tribe review and the time period in which it must be completed have been the subject of recent litigation, often regarding natural gas projects under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), with project proponents arguing states failed to act timely and thus waiving their rights to issue a certification with conditions. Like its predecessor, this proposal seeks to clarify some of the disputed issues.

Congresswoman Hinson may be exactly correct and that would make you exactly WRONG.

Regards,

John Stiegelmeyer

Vinton

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NG October 11, 2022, 5:58 pm Ashley Hinson can not be trusted. Like most republicans she is know to be a liar or at least she stretches the truth to make herself look good.

She has a commercial on TV at the moment that talks about her role in the baby formula shortage. She definitely overplays her role. She did join her Democratic colleagues in May to vote for HR 7791, which opened up formula options for parents who use the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Those families are typically restricted to one brand of formula, and the brand is dependent on state contracts.

But there was another bill, HR 7790, that would have allocated extra money to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to increase inspection staff. It would also have included steps to prevent fraudulent products. Hinson along with most republicans voted NO. She wanted the republican version which had no new funding for the FDA. So do your job, FDA, but we won't give you the necessary money to do it. Underfunding of the FDA is thought to be one of the other reasons why the Abbott Michigan plant’s problems weren’t caught sooner.

She used to be for states rights when it comes to abortion, but has since changed her mind. She has since joined other republicans in a bill to ban abortion in all states. Just like a lot of republicans she is doing what she is told to do. A lot of them are "Cleaning up" their web sites to make themselves look better before the election. But what do you suppose will happen after the election if they win back the House or Senate? They will vote against we the people like always.

Norma Gould
RB October 13, 2022, 4:02 pm I just love it when John indicates Senator Grassley and R’s are fighting the swamp. President Trump really added to the swamp. His administration is the most indicted administration ever and it’s not close.

Still waiting for you to call out Trump for his corruption and law-breaking. The fact that you are silent must mean you approve of his actions. Considering how many letters-to-the-editor you write at least one paragraph could be devoted to the guy you voted for twice! 😀