MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — New federal rules to protect smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands have survived the latest Republican effort to block them.

Congress last week sent President Barack Obama a “resolution of disapproval” that would scrap the rules. He promptly vetoed the measure. On Thursday, Senate Democrats voted 52-40, falling short of the three-fifths threshold to vote on a veto override.

Republicans didn’t appear to have the votes to win an override if they had been able to vote. An override needs support from two-thirds of the Senate and two-thirds of the House.

The Obama administration says the rules would safeguard drinking water for 117 million people. Republicans say the regulations are costly, confusing and amount to a government power grab.