MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has voted for a resolution calling for scrapping new federal rules to protect smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands from development and pollution.

Senators voted 53-44 in favor of a “resolution of disapproval,” a measure that would void the regulations if also passed by the House and signed by the president. The White House has said it would veto the resolution.

A win for America’s farmers and ranchers: #Ag Cmite Member @SenJoniErnst‘s #WOTUS joint resolution passes Senate on 53-44 vote. #bogusWOTUS

— Sen. Ag Republicans (@SenateAgGOP) November 4, 2015

 

Senate passes @joniernst’s resolution to protect American farmers and ranchers from a water power grab. #WOTUS @BarackObama — Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) November 4, 2015

 

The Obama administration says the rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May would safeguard drinking water for 117 million Americans. Republicans and some rural Democrats say the rules would give federal regulators unprecedented control of small bodies of water on private land.

Federal courts have already put the regulations on hold as they consider a number of lawsuits.