The U.S. House of Representatives has rescheduled a floor vote on H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act - sponsored by Rep Shuster (R-PA), for the week of May 11th. The bill would require the EPA to withdraw their "Waters of the U.S." proposed rule and start the regulatory process from scratch, making sure there is a comprehensive scientific analysis and robust public review and comment period.
NAR conducted several activities the week of April 26, with the expectation that there would be a vote on this bill on May 1. These activities included an NAR letter in support of H.R. 1732, signing on to a coalition letter, a FPC call-for-action and an ad buy in various Washington, DC publications.
A Senate companion bill - The Federal Water Quality Protection Act - sponsored by Sen. Barrasso (R-WY), was also introduced this week. Similar to the House bill, it requests that EPA develop a rule that is responsive to public comments and specifically outlines waters that should be excluded from federal jurisdiction.