BECKLEY, W.Va. — The Senate Tuesday fell short of advancing legislation to repeal proposed environmental regulations aimed at bringing more waterways and wetlands under federal protection, handing the Obama administration a victory on rules that have faced a number of legal and political setbacks since being introduced this summer.
With 57 senators — all the GOP and four Democrats — voting to repeal the measure, 41 Democrats voted against the elimination of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) falling short of the 60 votes needed to begin debate on the bill.
Sen. Joe Manchin was one of the Democrats to vote to advance a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to reverse the WOTUS rules.
“The EPA wrote and finalized this rule without consulting some of the people who care about clean water the most: everyday West Virginians and Americans…