Sessions Comments on WOTUS Rule After Veto Override is Blocked

Statement

"Blocking this Administration's wildly unpopular and intrusive Waters of the US rule has been a priority for farmers, landowners, small businesses, and state and local governments for years. I hear concerns about this rule from our farmers and businesses all of the time. Successful passage of a bipartisan resolution to overturn the rule was a rare achievement for this Congress. Sadly, the decision by the President's party to block Congress from overriding the President's veto -- voting against the interests of their own constituents -- means that Americans will continue to be victimized by this Administration's extreme regulatory agenda."

BACKGROUND:

The Clean Water Act (CWA) limits federal jurisdiction to "navigable waters," defined as "waters of the United States." However, on June 29, 2015, EPA and the Corps finalized a new definition of "waters of the United States." The rule creates new jurisdictional tests that give federal officials the authority to regulate nearly all water, including any ditch or sewer system that EPA claims is a "relocated tributary."

The Senate and House passed S.J. Res. 22 to block implementation of the rule until the courts had time to decide the issue. However, President Obama vetoed this resolution on January 19, 2016. A vote to override the President's veto was blocked today.

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