House GOP takes on Obama environmental agenda in $30B Interior, EPA funding bill

Republicans have repelled numerous attempts by Democrats to defend the Obama administration's environmental agenda as the GOP-controlled House debates a $30 billion measure funding the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior Department for the upcoming budget year.

Democrats came out on the losing end of votes on proposed rules on selling items containing ivory from endangered African Elephants, curbing runoff from mountaintop removal coal-mining operations, hydraulic fracturing on federal lands and protections for the sage-grouse and the grey wolf.

The White House has vowed to veto the bill over GOP "riders" — or policy add-ons — to thwart Obama's moves on the environment and funding cuts for the EPA budget and other programs. Republicans have tried many of the riders before only to see them stripped out in end-stage negotiations.