LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY
WRRDA Reauthorization
On Thursday, September 19, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up and approved H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA). WRRDA was introduced as a bi-partisan measure by Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-WV), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Tim Bishop (D-NY). The bill was approved by unanimous voice vote. Floor consideration is expected in early October, but pressing action on fiscal matters including the debt ceiling may result in some delay.
As WRRDA was developed on a bipartisan basis among the “Big Four” leaders of the committee and subcommittee, they agreed to collectively oppose any amendment unless it had the support of all four leaders. The committee adopted a bipartisan Managers Amendment of minor agreed-upon amendments, as well as technical changes and corrections. A number of additional amendments were then offered and withdrawn, often with commitments from the Chairman to continue working on the issue.
This Week’s Hearings:
- Tuesday, September 24: The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security will hold a hearing titled “Rebuilding the Nation’s Infrastructure: Leveraging Innovative Financing to Supplement Federal Investment.”
- Wednesday, September 25: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing titled “The Need to Invest in America’s Infrastructure and Preserve Federal Transportation Funding.”
