The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati Monday agreed to hear challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. rule by 18 states. The states say the EPA goes too far with the rule, and that WOTUS would be costly to landowners. The EPA defends the rule as a safeguard for drinking water for 117 million Americans. The rule went into effect last August but is temporarily on hold pending resolution of the jurisdictional challenge. The 6th Circuit issued the federal stay last year.

President Barack Obama Monday said he was “cautiously optimistic” Congress will support the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Speaking to a delegation of state governors at the White House earlier this week, Obama said he would have to rely on votes from pro-trade Democrats and Republicans since labor leaders opposed the deal. Obama did say Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan had largely been supportive of the pact. Congress seems likely to delay a vote on the trade deal until after the November elections in the lame duck session, or once a new President takes office next year.

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