H.J.Res.27 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'".
House Roll Call
H.J.Res.27
| Bill | H.J.Res.27 — Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'". |
|---|---|
| Vote question | On Passage |
| Vote type | Yea-and-Nay |
| Result | Passed |
| Totals | Yea 227 / Nay 198 / Present 0 / Not Voting 9 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 218 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| D | 9 | 197 | 0 | 7 |
| I | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Research Brief
On Passage
Bill Analysis
HJRES 27, introduced in the 118th Congress, is a joint resolution aimed at disapproving a specific rule established by the Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, the Department of Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The rule in question pertains to the “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’,” which redefines the scope of federal jurisdiction over water bodies under the Clean Water Act.
The resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act (CRA), allowing Congress to overturn federal regulations by a simple majority vote. If enacted, HJRES 27 would nullify the revised definition, which has significant implications for regulatory authority over wetlands and waterways. The original rule, finalized in late 2021, expanded the definition of “waters of the United States,” thereby increasing federal oversight of various water bodies, including streams and wetlands that were previously considered jurisdictionally ambiguous.
Key agencies affected by this resolution include the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, both of which play critical roles in enforcing water quality standards and permitting processes. The disapproval of the rule could lead to a reversion to prior definitions, potentially reducing federal regulatory reach and impacting environmental protections.
Beneficiaries of this resolution may include agricultural producers, developers, and industries that rely on land use and water resource management, as they could face fewer regulatory hurdles under a narrower definition of federally protected waters. Conversely, environmental advocacy groups may view the disapproval as a setback for water conservation efforts.
The latest action on HJRES 27 indicates that the House has passed the resolution and directed the Clerk to notify the Senate, signaling the potential for further legislative action. The timeline for Senate consideration and potential presidential approval remains uncertain, but the resolution reflects ongoing debates regarding federal environmental regulation and state versus federal authority in water management.
Yea (227)
D
Dan Bishop
K
Ken Buck
L
Larry Bucshon
M
Michael Burgess
J
Jerry Carl
L
Lori Chavez-DeRemer
A
Anthony D'Esposito
J
John Duarte
J
Jeff Duncan
A
A. Ferguson
M
Matt Gaetz
M
Mike Gallagher
M
Mike Garcia
B
Bob Good
K
Kay Granger
G
Garret Graves
M
Mark Green
B
Bill Johnson
D
Doug Lamborn
J
Jake LaTurner
D
Debbie Lesko
B
Blaine Luetkemeyer
P
Patrick McHenry
M
Marcus Molinaro
A
Alexander Mooney
G
Greg Pence
B
Bill Posey
C
Cathy Rodgers
M
Matthew Rosendale
G
George Santos
M
Michelle Steel
C
Chris Stewart
M
Michael Waltz
B
Brad Wenstrup
B
Brandon Williams
Nay (198)
C
Colin Allred
E
Earl Blumenauer
J
Jamaal Bowman
C
Cori Bush
Y
Yadira Caraveo
T
Tony Cárdenas
M
Matt Cartwright
D
David Cicilline
G
Gerald Connolly
A
Anna Eshoo
R
Raúl Grijalva
B
Brian Higgins
J
Jeff Jackson
S
Sheila Jackson Lee
D
Daniel Kildee
D
Derek Kilmer
A
Ann Kuster
B
Barbara Lee
K
Kathy Manning
G
Grace Napolitano
W
Wiley Nickel
B
Bill Pascrell
D
Donald Payne
M
Mary Peltola
K
Katie Porter
C
C. Ruppersberger
J
John Sarbanes
E
Eric Swalwell
D
David Trone
J
Jennifer Wexton
S
Susan Wild
