House Passes Senate Companion to Smith's Resolution to Reject WOTUS

Statement

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the House passed S.J. Res. 22, the Senate companion to Smith's resolution to disapprove the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Waters of the U.S. rule, known as WOTUS. This legislation will now go to the President's desk.

"Today's bipartisan vote to kill the EPA's WOTUS rule sends a strong message to President Obama and his administration about Americans' opposition to this abuse of executive power," Smith said. "When the Obama administration pushed forward with WOTUS in defiance of a court-ordered stay, I introduced this resolution of disapproval in the House on behalf of all farmers, land owners, and local officials frustrated by the administration's refusal to acknowledge their concerns. Following the President's comments in his State of the Union address about the need to cut red tape, I hope he will listen to the American people and do away with this dangerous rule which exceeds the EPA's statutory authority."

Smith introduced H.J. Res. 59, the House resolution to disapprove WOTUS under the Congressional Review Act, in July 2015. The Congressional Review Act provides for an expedited process for Congress to overturn executive rulemaking, including expedited Senate consideration of legislation to block newly finalized rules.

Source