Wichita Standard

Rep. Ron Estes of Kansas has expressed support for the recent Interior, Environment and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The bill aims to repeal the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and limit the listing of the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act.

Estes criticized federal bureaucrats for what he sees as overreach in managing natural resources. "Kansans have proven to be good stewards of the land and natural resources we have here in our state, yet federal bureaucrats continue to abuse their positions by micromanaging ponds and puddles through the overreaching WOTUS rule and listing the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered despite the population remaining stable," said Rep. Estes.

He emphasized that this legislative move is intended to protect Kansas farmers, ranchers, and energy producers from federal regulations. "House Republicans passed the Interior and Environment appropriations bill which will kneecap the entrenched D.C. administrative state from pushing WOTUS and the lesser prairie-chicken listing onto hardworking Kansas farmers, ranchers and energy producers," Estes stated.

According to Estes, this bill represents a triumph for practical policies in Kansas against established practices in Washington. "This appropriations bill is a win for common sense Kansans and a victory over the status quo in Washington," he concluded.