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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has long been a point of contention for conservatives who say its regulations hamper economic development. During 90.3’s Sound of Ideas Wednesday, Ohio Republican Congressman Jim Renacci suggested cutting departments to balance the budget of a “bloated government”.
“We’re going to have to look at some of the departments and duplicity and determine whether we need two EPAs – an EPA in Washington, an EPA in Ohio, for example,” Renacci said, referring to the state's environmental agency.
“It’s time that a businessman was able to look and take a businessman’s approach to what we can do to get our budget aligned.”
Renacci, who serves on the House Budget Committee, represents Ohio’s 16th district and is considering a run for governor in 2018.
During his campaign, Trump suggested cuts in the EPA’s budget. He also has criticized the number of regulations the agency supports.
The administration’s feelings go beyond the Oval Office -- Trump’s choice to head the EPA, Scott Pruitt, was involved with several lawsuits against the agency when he was Oklahoma attorney general.
Last month, three U.S. senators introduced a proposal that called for terminating the federal agency.