WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House of Representatives’ joint resolution targeting newly restored clean water protections is a dangerous attempt to undermine the health of waterways, ecosystems, and communities across the nation. The resolution calls for an invalidation of the Biden administration’s recently finalized “Waters of the United States” rule, which restores long-standing protections for important streams and wetlands across the country. 

“This is a dangerous effort to undermine the Clean Water Act itself,” said Jim Murphy, director of legal advocacy for the National Wildlife Federation. “The vote seeks to invalidate a common sense rule that simply codifies long-standing protections that are essential to drinking water quality, flood protection, community health, ecosystems, and businesses. The resolution is a blunt tool that directly threatens people, communities, and wildlife. The Senate must reject this reckless attempt to undo half a century of progress on clean water.”

For more on the Clean Water Act and the uncertainties facing waters across the nation see the National Wildlife Federation’s recent report, Five Decades of Clean Water.