The US Senate has passed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to rescind the EPA’s Waters of the US (WOTUS) rule. The resolution passed by a vote of 53 – 44. The resolution now goes to the House for passage, although the time frame for this remains uncertain, and will then have to be signed by the President in order to take effect.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, following the failure of a related bill, S.1140, to garner the 60 votes necessary to move to debate, led discussion of the CRA resolution.
“Both S. 1140 and the CRA have vote garnered bipartisan support, clearly indicating that concern over WOTUS by Democrats and Republicans,” said Pam Whitted, NSSGA senior vice president of government and regulatory affairs.
The rule is currently not being enforced due to a nationwide stay enacted by the 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals. However, it could be years before the rule is considered by the US Supreme Court, and the NSSGA continues to engage the EPA, the Army Corps of Engineers and Congress to explore options to force the EPA to re-propose the rule.
Adapted from press release by Rebecca Bowden