WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) applauded the Senate’s passage of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval to prevent the Biden administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from expanding federal regulation over certain bodies of water by a vote of 53-43. Kennedy cosponsored the resolution, which Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced in February 2023.

“I’m proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers of Congress to protect Louisianians from this bureaucratic power grab. I hope that President Biden will do the right thing for America’s farmers, energy producers and land owners and stop the EPA’s abusive rule,” said Kennedy.

“By voting to overturn President Biden’s waters rule, we are sending a clear, bipartisan message that Congress, even a divided one, will defend working Americans in the face of executive overreach. I’m proud to lead my colleagues in standing up for farmers and ranchers, landowners and builders, and energy and infrastructure workers across the United States. I urge President Biden not to overrule the will of a bipartisan majority in Congress, and instead draft a new rule that doesn’t unfairly penalize millions of Americans and jeopardize future growth in our country,” said Capito.

The House of Representatives passed the resolution earlier this month, where Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) led the effort.

Background: 

• In 2015, the Obama-Biden administration finalized a rule expanding the definition of WOTUS. This change created burdensome regulations that impact Louisiana farmers, energy producers and other industry.
• In 2020, the Trump administration finalized a rule undoing the previous administration’s red-tape.
• In December 2022, the Biden EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced a final rule on WOTUS that would expand the regulatory power of the federal government.

The resolution is available here.