As expected, President Obama yesterday vetoed a disapproval resolution passed by Congress that would have nullified the controversial clean water rule by EPA, better known as Waters of the U.S. or WOTUS.

“Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that rely on clean water, I cannot support it,” the president said in his veto message.

The resolution was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), who criticized Obama’s action in a statement.

“(T)he President chose to side with an unchecked federal agency and empower un-elected Washington bureaucrats to expand their authority to control what’s done on private land,” she said. “It is clear President Obama did not take into account the comments, perspectives and legitimate concerns raised by those whom this expanded WOTUS rule directly impacts.” Ernst added that she remains “committed to identifying new ways to push back against this complex, burdensome and overreaching rule.”

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) president Chip Bowling says the veto harms farmers. “We are disappointed in the President’s veto, especially in light of the recent GAO report that stated EPA engaged in ‘covert propaganda’ in an effort to sell the American public on this rule,” said Bowling. “This administration continues to ignore the will of Congress and the significant impact this will have on our country’s farmers at a time when they cannot afford more regulatory confusion and red tape.”

Several lawsuits over the rule are pending and a temporary nationwide stay on implementation of the WOTUS rule remains in effect.