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H.R.4965 / 112th Congress

To preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States, and for other purposes.

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 492.

Official summary

Version 17 · Reported to House with amendment(s) · Sep 20, 2012

Prohibits the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from: (1) finalizing, adopting, implementing, administering, or enforcing the proposed guidance described in the notice of availability and request for comments entitled "EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Guidance Regarding Identification of Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act"; or (2) using such guidance, any successor document, or any substantially similar guidance made publicly available on or after December 3, 2008, as the basis for any decision regarding the scope of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) or any rulemaking. Provides that use of such guidance or document as the basis for any rule shall be grounds for vacating such rule.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Mica, John L. [R-FL-7] · R–FL

Committees

  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
94 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 492.

  2. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 112-681.

  3. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 112-681.

  4. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 33 - 18.

  5. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

  7. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

  8. Introduced in House

  9. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4965 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4965 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4965 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4965 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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