Sen. Cruz: Ending ‘Sue and Settle’ Practice is a Major Victory for Texas Landowners

Applauds EPA directive ending “sue and settle”; urges Congress to pass Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) applauded EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s Monday announcement that he is ending “sue and settle” practices within the agency, and urged his colleagues in Congress to pass the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act, which would enact this policy into law.

“The announcement from the EPA to end ‘sue and settle’ practices in the EPA is a major victory for millions of hardworking Texas landowners,” Sen. Cruz said. “For far too long, the EPA has colluded with special interest groups, resolving litigation through consent decrees and settlement agreements behind closed doors. I commend Administrator Pruitt for his leadership on this issue and ending the practice of regulation through litigation. I urge my colleagues in both the House and the Senate to pass the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act, to codify this policy into law, providing lasting transparency and accountability to the agency.”

In his fight to protect private property rights, Sen. Cruz has long led efforts to rein in the federal overreach of the EPA and restore accountability to the agency by ending the practice of regulation by litigation:

  • In April 2013, February 2015, and January 2017 Sen. Cruz cosponsored the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2017, introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa).