The House Committee on Natural Resources met to markup the bill on Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America (H.R. 2824), and other bills. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH) introduced H.R. 2824 on July 25, 2013 with the purpose of stopping the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) from moving forward with its Stream Protection Rule (SPR). A majority of the Committee disapproves of SPR due to its increased regulation at mines, which is aimed to protect waterways. H.R. 2824 was adopted and favorably reported to the House of Representatives by a vote of 24 yeas and 15 nays. The bill awaits approval by the full House, Senate, and must be signed by the President before it can be enacted.

Sources: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, The Library of Congress