Despite the threat of a Presidential veto, and after a protracted debate that included consideration of nearly 40 amendments, the House of Representatives passed its FY 15 energy and water spending bill, H.R. 4923. The $34 billion measure to fund the Department of Energy, the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation was adopted by a vote of 253-170. The bill would fund the Corps’ civil works program at about $5.5 billion, and the Bureau of Reclamation’s water and related resources program at $860 million.
Senate action remains uncertain. The energy and water subcommittee has marked up a bill that would provide $5.134 billion for the civil works program, but full committee consideration was cancelled amid concerns over numerous amendments that were expected to be offered. It appears all but certain that a continuing resolution will fund the government when the fiscal year begins October 1. See the July Newsletter for more details.