TOPEKA, Kan. — President Joe Biden vetoed a bipartisan congressional joint resolution that would have overturned the harmful waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, which has been in effect since March 20. The resolution was passed by both the House and Senate under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to overturn rules from federal agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“America’s farmers, ranchers and landowners have made it clear this WOTUS definition is overly burdensome and unworkable, only exacerbating the regulatory uncertainty rural communities currently face. By vetoing this resolution, President Biden has once again turned his back on rural America,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and cosponsor of the resolution. All members of the Kansas congressional delegation, except U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, voted for the resolution.
The new WOTUS rule creates more uncertainty for cattle producers by putting the burden on individuals to determine if a water feature on their land is considered federally regulated. NCBA and KLA remain actively engaged on this issue, both in the courts and in Congress.
— Kansas Livestock Association