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Senate passes WOTUS clarifications

The U.S. Senate passed a budget bill early Friday morning after a marathon voting session. The packaged passed on a 52 to 46 vote with all Democrats and Republicans Ted Cruz and Rand Paul voting against it.

The bill includes amendments which state the EPA’s proposed Waters of the U.S. rules do not apply to puddles, irrigation ditches and water systems and maintains existing exemptions for agriculture.

There is also a “symbolic” rollback of President Obama’s carbon emissions rules for power plants.

The Senate bill must now be reconciled with the budget bill passed by the House on Wednesday. Congressional leadership hopes to pass a completed budget next month.  Budgets do not become law but do come into play when spending bills are considered by Congress.