Alexander Defends EPA Rule At Event Blasting Federal Regulations

Several Republicans from Tennessee’s Congressional delegation took shots at big government today at an event in Murfreesboro. It was billed as a ‘field hearing’ of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, although Chairman Darrell Issa of California and Tennessee Representative Scott DesJarlais were the only committee members there.

Several of the Republicans present used the event to hone their attacks on cumbersome federal regulation. Representative Diane Black laid into rules from the Environmental Protection Agency, saying they can cost billions, without much benefit.

“Rolling back the costly and unnecessary regulations is imperative to jumpstart our economy and provide certainty for our job creators.”

That put Senator Lamar Alexander in an awkward spot. Lately Alexander hasn’t gone along with colleagues trying to undo new clean-air rules for coal plants. He argues keeping Tennessee’s air clean is vital to recruiting jobs, even though he’s not a huge fan of the EPA either.

“Even a stopped clock can be right twice a day, and on these two clean-air rules I think they are right for Tennessee.”

Alexander is the only member of Tennessee’s delegation not up for reelection this fall. He says voters expect lawmakers to know the difference between bad rules and good ones.