WASHINGTON (Dec. 14, 2015) – In a decision today
from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office, the GAO found
that the Environmental Protection Agency violated federal law in
promoting the agency’s “waters of the United States” rule. The decision
found the EPA engaged in covert propaganda and grassroots lobbying to
support the WOTUS rule. Philip Ellis, National Cattlemen’s Beef Associationpresident, said this report confirms what producers have long suspected: an agency with a radical agenda.
“The
WOTUS rule is a flawed rule from a flawed process, and we thank Senator
Inhofe (R-Okla.) for calling attention to this clear violation of the
law,” said Ellis. “The EPA’s zealous advocacy of their rule in violation
of federal law shows the extremes to which this administration will go
to subvert public opinion in favor of their far-reaching environmental
agenda.”
The
GAO decision finds that the EPA’s use of Thunderclap, in which a single
social media message can be shared across multiple Facebook, Twitter
and Tumblr accounts at the same time, was a prohibited use of EPA’s
appropriations for unauthorized publicity or propaganda purposes.
“From
the start, the EPA’s use of social media and particularly Thunderclap,
raised concerns with stakeholders opposed to the WOTUS rule,” said
Ellis. “The use of these messages, without attribution to the agency,
was clearly intended to deceive the public to engage in the spread of
EPA’s propaganda without consideration of the rulemaking process. By
crafting the social media message to appear grassroots, the EPA misused
tax-payer funds to support expansion of federal jurisdiction.”
The
GAO also found that the agency’s website links to policy engagements on
the Natural Resources Defense Council and Surfrider Foundation webpages
constituted grassroots lobbying in violation of the grassroots lobbying
prohibition.
“The
Army Corps’ of Engineers has raised concerns that the EPA exaggerated
the scientific basis for their jurisdictional determinations, the courts
have twice found rationale to halt implementation of the rule, and both
Chambers of Congress have taken action to withdraw the rule,” said
Ellis. “It is time for Congress to act to fully defund implementation of
the WOTUS rule and bring accountability to the EPA.”
The
GAO’s general counsel has advised the EPA to report the violations and
the costs associated with the violation of the law to the President and
Congress as required by the Antideficiency Act.
|
Welcome
