EPA’s Waters Of The United States Rules Onerous To Land, Business Owners
In a 253-166 vote on Wednesday, the House approved a resolution that would effectively repeal the EPA’s new Waters of the United States mandate. The AP reported that the mandate is “intended to protect smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands from development and pollution.” The “resolution of disapproval” passed the House after passing the Senate with a 53-44 vote in November “despite a threatened presidential veto.” The AP added that “Farm and business groups are among the rules’ chief opponents” of the EPA’s new rules, and more than half the states are suing to block the rules. While Obama officials argue the rules “would safeguard drinking water for 117 million people,” those opposed argue that the mandate is confusing, expensive, and amounts to yet another “government power grab,” as it would allow the federal government “unprecedented control of small bodies of water on private land.” Commenting on the resolution passed Wednesday, House Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said, “Across the nation, communities and individuals face the frightening prospect of the federal government disrupting their daily lives in areas it has no right to get involved in.” The Hill also reports on the House’s vote, noting comments from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), who stated, “The federal government shouldn’t be regulating every drop of water.”
What Happens Next
The AP pointed out that now that the House and Senate have passed the resolution, the WOTUS rules would be reversed if President Obama signed the resolution. However, “he has said he won’t, and neither the House nor the Senate appears to have enough votes to override a veto.” For the time being, however, the rules are on hold because of federal court rulings while judges review multiple suits against them.
What This Means For Small Businesses
News that some in Congress are standing up to the Obama administration’s pattern of pushing an aggressive regulatory agenda is promising, but as it stands WOTUS may still be enforced, depending on court rulings. Small businesses have to suffer through an uncertain regulatory future, and some may hesitate to make business decisions while the future of WOTUS remains unclear.
Additional Reading
The Daily Caller also covered the House vote.
Note: this article is intended to keep small business owners up on the latest news. It does not necessarily represent the policy stances of NFIB.
