House votes to reverses key Biden administration environmental regulation

March 11, 2023

House Republicans passed a measure this week that will cancel a key Biden administration rule.

The Biden administration rule defines what water bodies are subject to federal regulation under the Clean Water Act.

"The resolution of disapproval would nullify the Biden administration's definition of 'waters of the United States,' which was finalized at the end of December," reports the Washington Examiner. "Republicans have argued the Biden rule is too onerous and exposes landowners, farmers, and builders to litigation for routine activities on their properties, such as installing ponds or filling ditches. The House voted 227-198 to undo the rule."

"Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, has been subject to significant regulatory changes over the last three administrations. Rewrites by both the Obama and Trump administrations failed to survive court challenges," reported the Examiner.

Republicans have voiced support for the Trump-era rule, which constrained the scope of waters subject to special permitting by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers.

Democrats opposed the rule, saying it lowers environmental standards and enables more pollution.

Republican Chairman Roger Williams of Texas said the Biden rule would make the business environment more unstable for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

"Biden’s EPA has disregarded the voice of Main Street America by indiscriminately certifying the WOTUS rule would not affect small entities through unnecessary and burdensome regulations," Williams said.

"Senate Republicans seek to advance a resolution of disapproval of their own led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee," reported the Examiner.