KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Crapo warns he'll filibuster clean water bill
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Associated Press - June 18, 2009 7:14 PM ET
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo is threatening to use "every tool and privilege" he has to slow or stop federal legislation aimed at bolstering the federal Clean Water Act.
The Idaho Republican, who voted against the Clean Water Restoration Act Thursday, is among members of the GOP minority who contend the bill allows government oversight of everything from wet meadows to prairie potholes.
This comes after U.S. Supreme Court rulings in 2001 and 2006 that proponents of the bill complain have hamstrung the Clean Water Act in combatting water pollution.
Crapo says he is planning to filibuster.
Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups praised the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works' party-line, 12-7 vote, saying the measure would restore protections "muddled" by the Supreme Court rulings.
The livestock industry, including the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, wants the bill killed, on grounds it would "require cattle producers to manage around puddles in the middle of pastures."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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