President uses power of veto on Congress’ disapproval of WOTUS
President Barack Obama kept his promise to Congress and vetoed its S.J. Res. 22 that would have eliminated the expanded definition of the WOTUS rule on Jan. 19.
“As I have noted before, too many of our waters have been left vulnerable,” said Obama in his Veto message to Congress. “Clarifying the scope of the Clean Water Act helps to protect these resources and safeguard public health. Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that rely on clean water, I cannot support it.”
After the veto, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, the sponsor of the resolution, released her own statement.
“This ill-conceived rule breeds uncertainty and confusion, while adding more red tape that threatens the livelihoods of many in Iowa and across the country,” said Ernst in a press release. “I remain committed to identifying new ways to push back against this complex, burdensome and overreaching rule.”
On Jan. 21, 52 members of Senate voted to override Obama’s veto but the attempt fell short by eight votes of the required 60.
The EPA has not been able to enforce WOTUS because of the federal appeals court nationwide block from October. Opponents of the rule are still pursuing further legal challenges.
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Treason seems like many bigger themes for this president than WOTUS! Not surprised but everyone must get involved at local levels and vote out the establishment! There was no quantitative or qualitative studies done by the epa, specifically in regards to fla for logistically implementing the new data criteria. Everything he has done has been a disaster in his administration!