U.S. Rep. McSally Responds to President’s Veto of Bipartisan WOTUS Disapproval

TUCSON, AZ – U.S. Representative Martha McSally Wednesday released the following statement after President Obama vetoed a resolution disapproving of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. The resolution previously passed both chambers of Congress with bipartisan support.

“Since the EPA first announced this harmful, one-size-fits all rule, members from both parties have opposed it. The courts have placed a hold on it. Yet the President is ignoring these voices and the needs of Southern Arizonans and continues to move ahead unilaterally,” said Rep. McSally. “Southern Arizona is one of many places around the country with a very unique landscape. I’m very concerned that this rule’s blanket provisions fail to account for the washes and tributaries that crisscross our community and will end up hurting businesses, ranchers, and everyday families. I’ll continue to work to stand up for their needs and make sure their voices are heard.”

On August 27, 2015 a U.S. District Judge in North Dakota issued a temporary injunction for the EPA’s WOTUS rule effective in 13 states, including Arizona. On October 9, 2015 the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit issued a nationwide preliminary injunction for the rule.

On May 12, 2015, Rep. McSally voted in favor of H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, legislation to require EPA withdraw their rule expanding the definition of “waters of the United States” and develop a new proposal that takes into consideration the over one million public comments on the rule, economic analysis of the rule, and discussions with state and local governments. That bill passed the House 261-155 with 24 Democrats voting in favor of the legislation. She also is a cosponsor of a house companion resolution to the bill vetoed by the President.