House approves repeal of Biden’s water protections

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives voted Thursday to repeal protections the Joe Biden administration established for thousands of creeks, wetlands and other waterways, bolstering Republican arguments that the regulations are environmental overreach. and a burden on business.

The vote was 227 for and 198 against.

House Republicans have used the Congressional Overhaul Act, which allows them to block regulations recently enacted by the executive branch. The measure now heads to the Senate, where Republicans hope to appeal to Democratic senators who are wary of Biden’s environmental policies. Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, a frequent antagonist of the president, has already come out in favor of repealing an order he says is an overreach of the federal government.

Biden said he would veto the measure if it reached his office.

The Clean Water Rule was finalized in December and defines which “US waters” are protected by the Clean Water Act, the nation’s top water pollution law. The measure has long been a point of contention between environmentalists, who seek to expand limits on pollution entering the nation’s waters, and farmers, builders and industry groups, who say expanding regulations are too costly for companies.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Army Corps of Engineers have repealed a business-friendly measure implemented under President Donald Trump that reduced protections.

Republicans have spoken out against the measure in Congress and in court, where at least five federal lawsuits are challenging the EPA rule. The Supreme Court is debating a related case brought by an Idaho couple who for more than 15 years were barred from building a house near a lake after the EPA determined that a party of the property was a wetland that could not be disturbed without a permit.

The court is expected to rule this year in the case, known as Sackett v. EPA,

House Republicans say their plan reduces regulatory burdens for small businesses, manufacturers, farmers and “ordinary Americans” by invalidating Biden’s rule.

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Phillis reported from St. Louis.