Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the Senate voted 53-43 to overturn the Biden Administration’s updated Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which outlines which waters - including small streams, rivers, wetlands, and more - should be protected from pollution and destruction under the Clean Water Act. House Republicans advanced the Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution on WOTUS earlier this month to try to invalidate the rule and prevent future administrations from implementing similar water protections.
President Biden is expected to veto the resolution.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous issued the following statement:
“Restoring critical protections for waters across the country should be a simple and easily supported effort. Yet a majority of Senators elected to represent the American people have chosen to side with corporate polluters and play politics with one of our most critical natural resources. This is inexcusable.
“Access to clean, safe water is a human right and should never be determined by where someone lives, how much money they make, or the color of their skin. The Sierra Club has and will continue to work with our allies to protect our waters, and we call President Biden to swiftly veto the WOTUS Congressional Review Act resolution.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.