House Likely to Pass Another Bill to Halt Water Rule

Not satisfied that two appropriations bills containing language to halt a proposed rule defining Waters of the U.S. will ensure the end of the controversial rule, the House is scheduled to vote September 9, 2014 on H.R. 5078 to scuttle the rule and replace it with a two-year consultation process involving state and local governments.  The bill has bipartisan support and is expected to easily pass the House.  Its future in the Senate is bleak with only two weeks until the next recess, and a history of the Senate disapproving of restrictions on EPA’s rulemaking authority.  The rule proposed by EPA and the Corps of Engineers has been criticized in numerous hearings on Capitol Hill, and the agencies have been forced to extend the public comment period until October 20, 2014.