Why Did Joe Biden Veto Resolution vs. His Water Rule?

U.S. President Joe Biden used his second veto to vote against a Congressional Review Act resolution calling to define his administration's Clean Water Act's reach.

E&E News reported that the second veto was issued to defend the administration's energy and environment policies, with Republicans eyeing to go against the administration's agenda and place moderate Democrats in a difficult spot.

The White House defended the veto, saying that the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers provide "clear rules of the road that will help advance infrastructure projects," including economic investments and agricultural activities.

All will be applicable while protecting water quality and public health, the White House added.

In March, the Senate passed the bill that would revoke a second Biden administration policy, with Republicans arguing it places a burden on the agriculture community by being "too restrictive in defining what is a navigable waterway."

The Clean Water Act allows EPA to regulate the "waters of the United States." However, it was not exactly defined which waters the Act was pertaining to.

Second Joe Biden Veto

President Joe Biden vetoed a House Joint Resolution stating that Congress disapproves the "rule submitted by the Department of Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Agency," and EPA when it comes to revising the definition of Waters of the United States.

The bill was sponsored by Republican Rep. Sam Graves.

The president announced the veto in a tweet, saying that he vetoed a bill "that attempted to block our Administration from protecting our nation's waterway."

He added that every American has a right to clean water, noting that his second veto "protects that right," according to CNN.

Proponents of the resolution argued that Biden's water rule exacts an "overreach by the executive branch," and creates a red tape that would lead to confusion in various industries, such as agriculture.

West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore said there is a reason that those who work in the sectors of agriculture, building, mining, and small businesses block the Biden waters rule.

Moore said that they are disappointed Biden "chose to stand by his blatant executive overreach."

In a statement released before the veto, the Biden administration said that the increased uncertainty would threaten economic growth for agriculture, local economies, and downstream communities.

First Joe Biden Veto

Biden issued his first veto in March, killing a Republican-authored measure that would ban the government from considering environmental impacts or possible lawsuits when making investment decisions for people's retirement plans, as reported by Associated Press News.

White House released a video saying that Biden vetoed the measure as it puts a risk at the "retirement savings of individuals across the country."

White House spokesperson Robyn Patterson said that the president vetoed the bill as it "jeopardizes the hard-earned life savings" of police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other workers.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy slammed the decision, saying that Biden just "sided with woke Wall Street over workers."

McCarthy said it tells them exactly where Biden's priorities lie.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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