Competing farm bill amendments on EPA aerial surveillance fail

The Senate voted down two competing farm bill amendments on the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to conduct aerial surveillance on agriculture operations.

The Senate defeated both amendments on Thursday.

First, the chamber voted against an amendment by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) which would have allowed the EPA to perform aerial overflight inspection if it was more cost-effective than inspections that are on-the-ground and in-person. That amendment failed 47 to 48. It had a 60-vote threshold.

Then the chamber voted on an amendment by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), which would have prohibited the EPA from using aerial flight for any kind of surveillance. That amendment was defeated in a vote of 56-43. It also required 60 votes for passage.

The chamber also defeated an amendment by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), aimed at reducing excessive paperwork for community water system departments. That vote failed 58 to 41.

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