House debates pesticide bill, postpones vote until Thursday

By Pete Kasperowicz - 03/30/11 05:59 PM ET

Members of the House on Wednesday night briefly debated legislation aimed at reversing a court decision that said pesticide use is regulated by the Clean Water Act in addition to a federal pesticide law. But a vote on the measure is postponed until Thursday.

The bill, H.R. 872, would ensure that certain pesticides could be used without having to seek a Clean Water Act permit, as the court required.

The debate took place on the same day that the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to extend the deadline by which Clean Water Act permits would be required for pesticide permits. The court said permits would only be needed starting October 1, rather than the earlier April 9 deadline.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) said the court delay removed the need for immediate action on the bill, and said Congress could instead work with the Environmental Protection Agency on how to implement the court ruling.

After debating the bill, the House moved to general speeches shortly before 6 p.m. for the remainder of Wednesday evening.