Congress carried polluters’ dirty water today, but ultimately clean water will win

Environment Florida

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One day after failing to adopt a similar measure, the U.S. Senate voted this afternoon to reverse the Obama administration’s Clean Water Rule, which restores protections to streams that help provide drinking water for 1 in 3 Americans. Sponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), the measure did not pass with enough votes to override President Obama’s expected veto.

Jennifer Rubiello, state director with Environment Florida, issued the following statement: “Developers, agribusinesses, and coal companies can no longer dump into our streams and wetlands unheeded thanks to the Clean Water Rule, and that’s why they’re fighting it tooth and nail. Today U.S. Senators- backed by Senator Rubio- chose these polluting interests over our rivers, lakes, and streams. While these senators carry the polluters’ dirty water; the public, the science, and the letter of the law all strongly back the Clean Water Rule. That’s why, with the help of Senator Nelson and President Obama’s veto, we’re confident that ultimately, clean water will win.”