©2026 League of Conservation Voters
2016
258
156
19
Representative Bob Gibbs (R-OH) sponsored H.R. 897, the rebranded Zika Vector Control Act, which would eliminate Clean Water Act safeguards that protect our streams, rivers, and lakes from excessive pesticide pollution. H.R. 897 would render ineffective the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act pesticide general permit, which took effect in 2011 and laid out commonsense practices for applying pesticides directly to waters under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. The pesticide general permit allows for emergency spraying to combat vector-borne diseases such as the Zika virus, and there are no reports of pesticide applicators being unable to apply pesticides in a timely manner. On May 24, the House approved H.R. 897 by a vote of 258-156 (House roll call vote 237). NO IS THE PRO-ENVIRONMENT VOTE.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters