[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 61 (Monday, April 10, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1715-H1716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL OF A RULE SUBMITTED BY THE 
 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND 
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF 
                 THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 118-26)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following veto 
message from the President of the United States:

To the House of Representatives:
  I am returning herewith without my approval H.J. Res. 27, a 
resolution that would disapprove the revised definition of ``Waters of 
the United States''.
  The 2023 revised definition of ``Waters of the United States'' 
carefully sets the bounds for which bodies of water are protected under 
the Clean Water Act. It provides clear rules of the road that will help 
advance infrastructure projects, economic investments, and agricultural 
activities--all while protecting water quality and public health.
  The resolution would leave Americans without a clear definition of 
``Waters of the United States''. The increased uncertainty caused by 
H.J. Res. 27 would threaten economic growth, including for agriculture, 
local economies, and downstream communities. Farmers would be left 
wondering whether artificially irrigated areas remain excluded or not. 
Construction crews would be left wondering whether their waterfilled 
gravel pits remain excluded or not. The resolution would also 
negatively affect tens of millions of United States households that 
depend on healthy wetlands and streams.

[[Page H1716]]

  Therefore, I am vetoing this resolution.
                                                 Joseph R. Biden, Jr.  
                                        The White House, April 6, 2023.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The objections of the President will be 
spread at large upon the Journal, and the veto message and the joint 
resolution will be printed as a House document.
  Without objection, further consideration of the veto message and the 
joint resolution, H.J. Res. 27, is postponed until the legislative day 
of April 18, 2023.
  There was no objection.

                          ____________________