How has COVID-19 altered the US federal appropriations process? What steps is Congress taking to adopt must-pass fiscal year 2021 spending bills? Will the United States experience another government shutdown this year? Attention in Congress will soon turn to the annual appropriations process and passage of fiscal year 2021 spending bills. In addition to funding … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Potential Energy Legislation After the House proposed a narrow version of the energy bill to the Senate, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) proposed a broader bill once again. After a meeting last week with House Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chairman Murkowski appeared confident she will get a … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity WRDA The House is expected this week to take up H.R. 5303, the “Water Resources Development Act of 2016” (WRDA). The Senate recently passed its version of the bill, S. 2848, on September 15. Unlike the Senate, the House legislation does not include funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure or for emergency … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate Passes WRDA Bill with Funding for Flint Last week, the Senate passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) (S. 2848) by a vote of 95-3. The $10.6 billion bill would authorize projects to be carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to address navigation, flood protection and … Continue Reading
Congress to Continue Focus on Appropriations The current fiscal year ends on September 30, and Congress will need to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) in the next few weeks to continue funding the federal government. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) proposed advancing a CR that would extend funding for the federal government … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Appropriations Committee to Markup THUD Bill The House Appropriations Committee will mark up its FY 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act on Tuesday, May 24, after an uneventful Subcommittee markup last week. This comes on the heels of the Senate passing its THUD Appropriations bill last … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Flint and Water Infrastructure Funding In our continued tracking of the package of federal funding for Flint’s water crisis,the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee recently favorably reported its Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes $220 million in funding in a combination of grants and loans for both Flint and for drinking water … Continue Reading
Legislative Action Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act As the holds have been removed on S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016, we now expect the bill to come to the Senate floor this week. Floor consideration will include 29 amendments by voice vote and eight by roll-call vote. Of note, Senators have agreed … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate leadership continues to work to encourage their colleagues to lift holds they have placed that have prevented further floor consideration of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 and the Flint water funding package. While progress reportedly has been made to address Senator Mike Lee’s (R-UT) hold concerning spending for … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate Energy Policy Modernization Act While there is interest in resuming Senate floor consideration of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016 this week, the bill continues to be held up largely by Democrats led by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) due to the lack of agreement as to how to address the … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Senate Floor Consideration of Comprehensive Energy Bill The Senate has been trying to conclude its floor consideration of S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2016. Last week, a motion to invoke cloture was offered but the Senate failed to reach the 60 votes needed to end debate on the bill. Democrats refused to … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Comprehensive Energy Legislation This week the Senate will continue its floor debate of S. 2012, the comprehensive energy bill that Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) authored. Under the open amendment process 130 amendments were filed. While some of the non-controversial amendments were accepted last … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity House Passes Water Resources Reform and Development Act Last week, the House passed its Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which provides federal funding for water and water-related infrastructure projects. The Senate passed its Water Resources and Development Act legislation in March. A conference committee will now be appointed to work out … Continue Reading
