The Senate has passed a joined resolution of disapproval on the Waters of the U.S. Rule by a vote of 53-44. This legislative procedure is used to try to overturn regulations put forth by the executive branch. The bill was brought by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst and would order the EPA and Corps to withdraw the WOTUS rule and stop similar action by other agencies.

She says the rule is burdensome and would cost farmers in Iowa and throughout the nation.

Ernst says WOTUS also represents a power grab by the federal government and is beyond the regulatory authority of the EPA. If the rule is allowed to be implemented EPA would have jurisdiction over millions of acres of state and private property. Ernst she says 97-percent of the waters in Iowa would be regulated by the agency.

The joint resolution must now be passed by the House and signed by the President.
Yesterday the Senate also voted on The Federal Water Quality Protection Act that would require the (EPA) to start over with the rulemaking for the WOTUS rule. It fell to a filibuster by a vote of 57-41.