News

Senate committee passes WOTUS-redo bill

More attempts to block the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule are moving forward in Congress.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has passed a bipartisan bill to make the EPA start over.

The Federal Water Quality Protection Act “would send the Waters of the U.S. rule back to the EPA and require the agency to consult directly with states and those affected by the proposed rule, like local farmers and ranchers.”

The bill was introduced by Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, co-sponsored by fellow Democrat Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Republican Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming and others.

Meanwhile, a House Appropriations subcommittee will consider a new spending bill today that would block the new Clean Water Act and the rule.

According to Agri-Pulse, the bill would cut $246 million from this year’s funding and is $3 billion less than what President Obama requested.