What many Americans want is the federal government to stay out of their lives as much as possible.

That is consistent with what the founders of this country wanted when they drafted the U.S. Constitution.

They believed the federal government should have some limits over those it governed and included the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.

They got it right, and many Americans would agree. 

The Obama administration doesn’t see it that way and seems to believe more government is the answer to the problems. 

Under President Barack Obama’s watch, we have watched his administration overreach in Kentucky regarding Lake Cumberland’s water level, the tail water restrictions at Lake Barkley and his war on coal. We have seen him ram his Affordable Care Act down the throats of all 50 states with its provisions forcing people to buy a product many did not want.

The latest attempted power grab by Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Corps of Engineers is a proposed rule expanding federal authority over additional waterways, wetlands and land use across the country.

This unwarranted action would have a devastating impact on land use across the country. It would be harmful for farmers in Kentucky and the coal industry, something for which Mr. Obama and most of his Democratic allies have nothing but disdain for.

The proposal by these two organizations is government overreach at its worst.

It’s good to know that we have elected officials in Congress who don’t want to see this happen. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is supporting amendments to the Sportsmen Act offered by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. The Wicker amendment would protect people’s rights to bear arms on lands owned by the Corps, including Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Martins Fork Lake and Laurel River Lake in Kentucky.

Several years ago, Congress enacted legislation allowing people with concealed carry permits to carry them on land owned by the National Park Service.

The amendment in question would be a logical extension of this law to federal land controlled by the Corps. 

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid has been reluctant in recent years to allow votes on amendments to bills offered by Republicans. We hope he sees the light and the need for letting this amendment have an up or down vote.

He should remember that if Republicans take over the Senate in November, he will be asking to have his party’s bills and amendments considered for an up or down vote.

His case, in that event, would be stronger if he extends Republicans the same courtesy now.