Rep. Larsen Opposes GOP Water Pollution Bill (H.R. 3898)

Opposition to the PERMIT Act

• ⚠️ Representative Larsen rises to oppose H.R. 3898, the "dirty water act," stating it will make it more difficult to keep water clean and add uncertainty to the permitting process.
• 🎯 The bill is criticized for gutting federal, state, and tribal authority and resources dedicated to clean water protection.

Weakening Federal and State Oversight

• 📉 The legislation significantly restricts federal oversight under the Clean Water Act, compounding existing efforts to slash funding and staff.
• 🤝 It undermines the partnership between the federal government and states/tribes, weakening their ability to protect local water bodies.
• 💧 The consequence is predicted to be more pollution in rivers, streams, and lakes due to loopholes, legal shields, and limited oversight of polluters.

Economic and Social Impacts

• 🐌 Contrary to claims of speeding up projects, the bill is expected to increase regulatory uncertainty and delay, slowing infrastructure investments.
• 💸 The cost of pollution will shift from polluters to American families, leading to higher expenses for safe drinking water and recreational access.
• 📉 This will disproportionately harm rural, minority, and financially struggling communities.

Bipartisan Cooperation and Alternatives

• 💡 Larsen emphasizes that a choice between clean water and a robust economy is unnecessary, citing Washington state's success in balancing both.
• 🚫 Democratic amendments aimed at fixing loopholes and oversight issues were defeated on party-line votes.
• 🤝 He expresses hope for future bipartisan work to create effective legislation that supports infrastructure, the economy, and job creation while protecting water resources.
• 📢 Larsen concludes by urging colleagues to oppose the bill due to its likely outcome of increasing water pollution and contamination.