The Senate last week rejected an amendment to the FY17 Energy and Water appropriations bill (H.R. 2028) that would have barred the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from implementing its controversial Clean Water Rule.
Proposed by Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), the amendment would have blocked the rule’s implementation through the end of the 2017 fiscal year. It marks the latest in a long line of attempts by congressional Republicans to reverse the rule, even though President Obama would likely veto any bill that reached his desk with such provisions.
The vote closely followed party lines, with nearly all voting Republicans joining four Democrats in supporting the amendment, and all remaining Democrats opposing it. The final vote was 56 – 42 in favor of the amendment, which fell four votes short of the 60 necessary to pass.
The Senate is expected to complete work on the Energy and Water spending bill this week. Sen. Hoeven said he plans to offer a similar amendment to the EPA’s appropriations bill when the Senate considers it later this year.