The House of Representatives voted to overturn the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule and the measure is now headed to President Obama’s desk, The Hill reports.

The rule, which took effect Aug. 28, 2015, was intended to clarify the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the agencies’ authority under the Clean Water Act over various waters. Several states filed lawsuits against the ruling, claiming the agencies were overstepping their boundaries. 

The Hill reports: 

The House voted Wednesday to overturn a contentious rule from the Environmental Protection Agency that asserts federal authority over small waterways.

The House passed the resolution 253-166 Wednesday, with 12 Democrats supporting it. Rep. Chris Smith (N.J.) was the only Republican to vote against the measure.

The measure is now headed to President Obama's desk; he has promised to veto it.

The resolution, from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), which the Senate passed the Senate in November, aims to block enforcement of the EPA regulation known as the Clean Water Rule or "waters of the United States" and prevent any similar rules from being issued in the future. 

Republicans are challenging the rule under the Congressional Review Act, which gives lawmakers the ability to vote to block regulations in the first 60 legislative days after they are issued.

The GOP says the administration is seeking to assert federal control over puddles, ditches, areas that are occasionally wet and other large sections of private or state land in violation of the intent of the Clean Water Act.

They say the rule would be disastrous to farmers, developers, landowners and other businesses that would need a federal permit for routine tasks such as digging ditches. 

For the full story, visit TheHill.com.