This week, the House voted 253 to 166 to approve a Congressional Review Act Resolution (S.J. Res 22) disapproving of the Obama Administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The Resolution will now be sent to the President since it was approved in the Senate last November by a vote of 53 to 44.
The President is expected to veto the measure, and neither the House nor the Senate has enough votes to override his veto. The controversial rule has been the subject of numerous unsuccessful measures in Congress to revise a rule that opponents maintain will broaden federal jurisdiction over streams, wetlands, and water infrastructure.
RCRC joined comments with a majority of other public agencies across the country opposing the potential impact of the rule on roadside ditches, storm water and water delivery systems, and irrigation. The rule took effect last summer but has been stayed nationwide by a federal district court. More than 30 states have filed suit against the rule, with seven cases pending in federal district courts.