THE DAILY SIGNAL: Commentary: 3 Reforms Conservatives Should Fight For in the Farm Bill

In 2015, the Obama administration finalized its infamous “Clean Water Rule” that defined which waters can be regulated under the Clean Water Act.

This rule would regulate almost every water imaginable. For example, it would regulate certain man-made ditches and even regulate what most people would consider dry land.

The rule would even make it more difficult for farmers to engage in normal farming activities.

While the Trump administration has proposed to repeal this rule, there already is litigation challenging the administration as it tries to get rid of the rule and come up with a new rule that is consistent with both the Clean Water Act and the U.S. Constitution.

Any farm bill should put an end to this Obama water rule once and for all. After all, what better piece of legislation is there to address arguably the biggest regulatory obstacle for farmers than the farm bill?

The House recognized this and repealed the rule in its farm bill. The Senate failed to do so.

Now, the need for getting rid of the rule has become even more urgent. On Aug. 16, a federal district court in South Carolina issued an injunction that blocks a Trump administration rule that would delay enforcement of the Clean Water Rule.

That injunction will apply in 26 states, meaning the Obama water rule now applies in those states—but not in other states.

A conservative farm bill would not miss this opportunity to get rid of the rule, especially given the time-sensitivity in doing so.

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