President Biden on Thursday vetoed an attempt by Congress to undo waterway pollution regulations put forward by his administration — marking the second veto of his presidency and effectively killing the attempt to nullify the water rule.
Majorities of both chambers of Congress had voted to nix the Biden rules, which defined which waters are subject to federal protections.
The White House had previously announced that Biden would veto the congressional measure, which is unlikely to be able to get the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.
In a statement on the veto, Biden said that the water regulation “provides clear rules of the road that will help advance infrastructure projects, economic investments, and agricultural activities — all while protecting water quality and public health.”
He added that without it, there would be greater uncertainty, which would “threaten economic growth.”
Waters that receive federal protections require permits in order for industry to carry out activities that may pollute the waters like construction or mining.
Right-wing opponents of the Biden administration’s rule say it is too broad and offers protection to waters that may not need them at the expense of industry.
“By vetoing this Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval, President Biden is ignoring the will of a bipartisan majority in Congress, leaving millions of Americans in limbo,
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