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North Florida Congressman Hopes To Abolish EPA

WFSU | By Kate Payne

Published February 1, 2017 at 5:31 PM EST

Congressman Matt Gaetz fistbumps with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz is reportedly drafting a bill to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency.

Congressman Matt Gaetz fistbumps with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

Republican Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach campaigned on cutting the environmental regulations he says are a burden for businesses. Now the Freshman Congressman hopes to gut the EPA, according to an email obtained by the Huffington Post. Gaetz has not yet filed the bill, but is reportedly reaching out to Republican colleagues to join the effort. In response to his plans, Gaetz tweeted in his words “I just don’t trust the Feds to get anything right. I trust the states.” The comments come at a time when the future of the department is unclear. President Trump’s pick for EPA Secretary, Scott Pruitt, has been fighting the agency in court for seven years.

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Kate Payne

As a Tallahassee native, Kate Payne grew up listening to WFSU. She loves being part of a station that had such an impact on her. Kate is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts. With a background in documentary and narrative filmmaking, Kate has a broad range of multimedia experience. When she’s not working, you can find her rock climbing, cooking or hanging out with her cat.

See stories by Kate Payne

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