The phrase "insisted on applying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that somebody strongly and firmly put forth a certain action. For example, "The senator insisted on applying more regulations to protect consumers."
But the Republicans insisted on applying a technicality in the Senate rules that allowed for 30 more hours of floor time after a successful vote to end debate.
Unimpressed with the quality of previous, more subjective studies, Dr. Wexler said that he had insisted on applying scientific research methods for this one, so as "to provide real facts about a controversial issue".
Also to his credit, he has insisted on applying cost-benefit analysis to environmental legislation.
Mr. Falcone, the people briefed on the matter said, refused to settle last year as long as the S.E.C. insisted on applying an injunction against fraud, which would amount to something of a rebuke.
Once again Iran has insisted on applying the death penalty despite serious concerns over the fairness of the trial," Sahraoui said. .
"But it also insists on applying a thick sugar coating to this very bitter pill".
It only makes him a failure by the criteria this exhibition insists on applying.
Conservatives insist on applying the so-called Hastert rule, which allows consideration only of bills that have a majority of the Republican caucus.
"But labels have been screwed by piracy, so they insist on applying the same rules to digital as they do to physical".
If they insist on applying too much heat, they might just be softening him up so that Obama can finish him off.
He insists on applying logic and analysis to things that most of us know we aren't supposed to be logical and analytical about.
