House vote to ease pesticide use near waters

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has passed a bill that could make it easier to use pesticides near water.

The measure would bar the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring farmers or companies to comply with the Clean Water Act when using pesticides on or near water sources. The bill's supporters said pesticides are adequately regulated by other laws.

The bill passed 292 to 130 on Thursday. The 130 negative votes came from Democrats. Fifty-seven Democrats joined 235 Republicans in supporting the bill, which has yet to see Senate action.