House votes to overturn Obama water rule

By Timothy Cama – 01/13/16 11:58 AM EST

The House voted Wednesday to overturn a contentious rule from the Environmental Protection Agency that asserts federal authority over small waterways.

The House passed the resolution 253-166 Wednesday, with 12 Democrats supporting it. Rep. Chris Smith (N.J.) was the only Republican to vote against the measure.

The measure is now headed to President Obama’s desk; he has promised to veto it.The resolution, from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), which the Senate passed in November, aims to block enforcement of the EPA regulation known as the Clean Water Rule or “waters of the United States” and prevent any similar rules from being issued in the future.

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