Voting 261-155 on Tuesday, the U.S. House passed the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act that would require the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their draconian and radical Waters of the U.S. rule. Alabama's Republican House members supported the bill. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, was recorded as "not voting."

The proposed rule would allow federal bureaucrats, not congress, to change the definition of "Waters of the United States" and limit private property rights.

The vote is a victory for common-sense, clear-thinkers who oppose federal government overreach. Under the rule, the EPA could even regulate roadside ditches that contain water only during heavy rain. A farmer wanting to cut grass on the slope of the ditch would have to obtain permission from the EPA.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., on Tuesday released a draft bill containing the biggest changes to financial regulations since the 2010 Dodd-Frank law. The legislation addresses banking, mortgage insurance financing, and insurance. It would heighten congressional scrutiny of the Federal Reserve and revamp numerous rules faced by small- and medium-size banks, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Republicans said the draft legislation is the starting point for negotiations over revamping financial regulations. Among the provisions are a legal "safe harbor" for banks of any size from federal mortgage underwriting standards, proposals to alter the process for determining which banks and other financial firms qualify for stricter regulation and oversight, and some provisions related to mortgage-finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Journal reported.