WOTUS Veto Override Vote Planned in the Senate for Thursday

While President Obama vetoed a resolution to disapprove the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. rule, the Senate will vote on an override Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Wednesday afternoon that the Senate will vote Thursday morning on overriding the veto. It is thought however that the Senate does not have enough votes to complete the override. The expected veto came at the displeasure of agriculture groups, many of which call the rule an overreach of power by the EPA. Republicans were unable to muster veto-proof, two-thirds majorities in either the House or Senate, but GOP leaders believe the measure will serve to highlight election-year differences between the parties, according to Agri-Pulse.

 

American Farm Bureau federation president Zippy Duvall said “The president’s veto is salt in the wounds of farmers and ranchers. We remain mystified as to why he continues to support this fatally flawed rule. The Government Accountability Office found the rule was issued with the help of illegal ‘covert propaganda’ by EPA. Ninety-two members of Congress, 22 states, numerous cities and counties and dozens of industry groups have all stood up and said no to this rule. Courts have ordered the rule temporarily halted because of the harm it will cause. But, somehow, the president and the EPA just keep pushing. But we won’t stop either. We will not rest until this rule is gone.”

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