Biden Stood Up for Clean Water

WASHINGTON  — President Biden vetoed a Congressional Review Act resolution that would have weakened protections under the Clean Water Act and tied the hands of future presidents trying to rectify the damage.

Jon Devine, director of Federal Water Policy at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), made the following statement:   

“With this veto, President Biden stood up for the streams and wetlands that feed into countless waterways nationwide. He stood up for clean water in the face of a reckless and senseless attack. He put clean water above polluter profits and preserved the ability of future presidents to do the same.” 

BACKGROUND  

The Congressional Review Act creates a dangerous fast-track mechanism for Congress to overturn final rules issued by federal agencies. It has the potential to eliminate significant environmental, public health and other protections. 

While it can be used at any time, lawmakers most often invoke the CRA on the cusp of an administration change or a shift in majority control. In its history, the CRA has been used to overturn a total of 20 rules.

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NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.