Democrats fail to kill 'poison pill' rider targeting EPA water rule

by John Siciliano | Jul 26, 2017, 9:13 PM @ Washington Examiner

Democrats failed Wednesday night to kill a "poison pill" rider in a $789 billion spending bill targeting the Environmental Protection Agency's Waters of the United States rule.

"Poison pill riders are policy changes," said Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, in opposing the Democratic amendment. "If you don't like them, they are poison pill riders," he said. Simpson is the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's energy and water panel.

The Waters of the U.S. rule, implemented by the Obama administration, greatly expanded the agency's jurisdiction where states once had authority to manage waterways.

"EPA's idea of a new definition [of waterways under the rule], is 'OK, we'll control everything,'" Simpson said. "Nobody wants dirty water," but the states "did a good job before [the EPA] rule."