Bill that would withdraw protection of small waterways blocked

The Senate has blocked legislation to undercut EPA clean water rules. The bill would have forced the withdrawal of laws protecting smaller waterways such as streams and tributaries from development and pollution. The bill was mostly opposed to by Democrats, and the mainly-Republican supporters did not get the 60 votes necessary to start considering the bill. The EPA clean water rules have been criticized by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell as “a cynical and overbearing power grab dressed awkwardly as some clean water measure.”