Press Releases

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC) responded to President Biden’s veto of their resolution (H.J. Res. 27) to overturn the Administration’s flawed, burdensome “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule.  The two Chairmen noted their eagerness for a House vote to override the President’s veto.

The Biden WOTUS rule will lead to sweeping changes to the federal government’s authority to regulate what is considered a navigable water, with considerable economic impacts.  The President’s veto of H.J. Res. 27 defies Congressional will and bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate for putting a stop to his overreaching rule.  On February 2, 2023, the House voted to overturn the Biden WOTUS rule.  And on March 29, 2023, the Senate likewise voted to stop the rule.

H.J. Res 27 was sponsored in the House by Graves, Rouzer, and 169 other House Members.  In the Senate, Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) led the successful effort to pass the legislation.

“Once again, President Biden has chosen to side with far-left environmental activists over everyday Americans, as well as majorities in both Houses of Congress.  This veto is just the latest regulatory assault on America’s families, farmers, small businesses, builders, and entire communities already suffering under the President’s disastrous policies of the last two years,” Graves said.  “I urge more of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to recognize the economic pain that these kinds of costly, overreaching policies are inflicting on Americans across the country.”

“While President Biden bows to the demands of radical environmentalists at the expense of hard-working Americans, Congress came together — on a bi-partisan basis — to stand up for families, farmers, and entire communities by rejecting his flawed ‘Waters of the U.S.’ (WOTUS) rule,” Rouzer said.  “I urge all of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us in overriding this veto so we can terminate this ambiguous, onerous and burdensome rule. Failing to do so will only make it harder to farm, build, and generate economic prosperity at a time when it is sorely needed.”