NWC FEDERAL SPOTLIGHT (Nov. 11, 2024)

Dear NWC members,

As we observe Veterans Day, we take a moment to honor and thank our veterans for their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting the freedoms we hold dear. Their service has shaped our nation’s history and ensures the continued safety and strength of our country. Today, let us remember the many men and women who have bravely served in our armed forces and reflect on the debt of gratitude we owe to these heroes.

In this Federal Spotlight, we’ll provide a high-level overview of the latest from Capitol Hill. With the recent election ushering in new leaders and priorities, Congress is now turning to the lame duck session, which begins this week. This session will address several urgent legislative items and set the stage for the upcoming 119th Congress. We’ll touch on what to expect in the months ahead, including key topics like federal funding, potential policy shifts, and leadership changes that will shape the legislative landscape.

Additionally, we’re excited to announce that registration for NWC’s 2025 Legislative Summit, held March 10-12, 2025, in Washington, DC, is now open! Given the high demand and our very limited room block, we encourage you to secure your spot soon. This event is a prime opportunity to engage with policymakers and peers on pressing water and waterways issues, so don’t miss out!

Quick links:

As always, I’m here for any questions, comments, or suggestions you might have. Please feel free to reach out.

Julie Ufner

NWC

MEMBER AND PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

 The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) is holding their Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina on Nov. 18-20, 2024. The AIWA is a national non-profit organization founded in 1999 with the mission of securing funding and support for the maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW).  They proudly represent all the stakeholders of the waterway (shippers, tug and barge companies, shipyards, corporations, associations, state and local governments, marina, and individual boaters) and are the only organization dedicated to ensuring the future of the AIWW.

The National Working Waterfront Network Conference is scheduled for Feb. 4-6, 2025, in San Diego, Calif. The NWWN is a nationwide network of businesses, industry associations, nonprofits, local governments and communities, state and federal agencies, universities, Sea Grant programs, and individuals dedicated to supporting, preserving, and enhancing our nation’s working waterfronts and waterways. Participation in the NWWN is open to all individuals and organizations involved in working waterfront issues at the federal, state, and local level. The mission is to increase the capacity of coastal communities and stakeholders to make informed decisions, balance diverse uses, ensure access, and plan for the future of their working waterfronts and waterways.

The Smart Rivers conference, focusing on inland river systems, is scheduled for Sept. 8-12, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee. It covers all the themes associated with the latest advancements, lessons learned, and building a vision for a sustainable future in inland waterborne transport. Solicited topics listed below are a mix of previous Smart Rivers topics with new and emerging topics that may influence our future. Presentations on these and other topics possibly not listed are highly encouraged. Abstracts on any topic related to advancing inland waterborne transportation and the forces driving its direction are welcome at Smart Rivers 2025.

CONGRESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

The 2024 Election and Its Far-Reaching Impacts: What You Need to Know. The recent election has sent ripples through the political landscape, setting the stage for significant short- and long-term changes that will shape the future of U.S. policy. Here’s an in-depth look at the key developments and what they mean for the country as we head into the 119th Congress.

New President: Donald Trump Re-Elected. Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office as the 47th President of the United States. Sworn in on January 20, his re-election marks only the second time a president has won two non-consecutive terms, the first since Grover Cleveland. This leadership change brings substantial shifts to federal priorities and policies as the country prepares for the start of the 119th Congress on January 3.

Congress Shifts: Senate Goes Republican, House Control Pending.

The 119th Congress will see Republicans take control of the Senate, holding a 53-46 majority, with two seats held by independents. A final Senate race in Arizona remains uncalled. Key flips in Ohio, Montana, and West Virginia were instrumental in this change:

  • Ohio: Senator Sherrod Brown (D) lost to Senator-elect Bernie Moreno (R)
  • Montana: Senator Jon Tester (D) was defeated by Tim Sheehy (R)
  • West Virginia: Governor Jim Justice (R) replaced Senator Joe Manchin (I)

Trump’s victory also opens up a Senate seat in Ohio due to Vice President-elect JD Vance’s new role. The Republican governor will appoint an interim successor until a special election in 2026.

While Republicans lead in the House with a 214-205 margin, final control hinges on several uncalled races. With 218 seats needed for a majority, the outcome may take days to finalize. Currently, Republicans lead in a handful of these races, making it likely they will secure the majority.

Presidential Transition and Planning for a Republican Agenda. With only 71 days until Trump’s inauguration, his transition team, led by Linda McMahon (former Administrator of the Small Business Administration) and Howard Lutnick (CEO, Cantor Fitzgerald), has started preparations. Unlike most transitions, President-elect Trump has not yet signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the outgoing Biden administration, a delay that complicates logistical planning. Once the transition moves forward, the incoming administration will likely face smoother paths in the Senate for confirming appointments. However, a slim majority could still pose hurdles, unless Trump can secure recess appointments from the new Majority Leader, bypassing Senate confirmation for certain key roles. In terms of policy, Trump has expressed plans to reverse regulations and revamp federal agencies. from the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies. Additionally, he has tapped Elon Musk to lead efforts to streamline federal agencies.

The Lame Duck Session: What’s on the Agenda? As Congress reconvenes for its lame duck session, several high-priority items are on the docket: 

  • FY2025 Appropriations: Despite the fiscal year ending on October 1, none of the 12 appropriations bills have been finalized. To avoid a government shutdown, a Continuing Resolution (CR) is in place until December 20. However, substantial differences between the House and Senate bills—totaling a $90 billion gap—have stalled progress. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has insisted on avoiding an end-of-year omnibus package, favoring the regular order of passing each appropriations bill individually. However, with only five weeks left in the legislative calendar, another CR may be needed to extend funding into 2025, potentially lasting up to three months. This would allow Republicans to revisit the budget under more favorable conditions when they assume control of both the presidency and the two chambers.
  • Disaster Funding and WRDA: There is bipartisan interest in passing both disaster funding and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) during the lame duck session.
  • Leadership Elections: Both chambers will elect leadership for the upcoming Congress. Senate and House Republicans are set to hold their leadership elections on Wednesday, while House Democrats plan theirs tentatively for November 19, and Senate Democrats have yet to set their date. Mitch McConnell’s departure as Republican leader in the Senate has sparked a three-way contest between Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.). Meanwhile, House Republicans are poised to re-elect Mike Johnson as Speaker if they secure the majority.

Committee Leadership Changes. In addition to overall leadership changes, committee chair positions will also see significant shifts in the 119th Congress:

  • Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW): Expected to be led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), with retiring Senator Tom Carper’s departure potentially positioning Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) or Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) as ranking members.
  • Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is seeking the chairmanship but may face competition from Senator John Thune if Thune does not secure the Republican leader position.
  • House Transportation and Infrastructure: Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) is seeking a waiver to extend his term as chair. He faces competition from Representative Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), while Representative Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) is expected to continue as the top Democrat on the committee.

Wrapping Up the 118th Congress: What It Means for You. As the 118th Congress draws to a close, a few key reminders:

  • Pending Legislation: Any bill not signed into law will need to be reintroduced in the new Congress, restarting the entire legislative process.
  • New Members: With over 70 new members joining Congress, establishing connections now will be crucial. Remember, some may not be fully staffed until January.
  • Committee Leadership Changes: Committee leadership shifts will alter staff dynamics and require renewed relationship-building efforts.

Looking Ahead: Expectations for the 119th Congress. The 119th Congress, running from January 2025 to January 2027, will bring a wave of fresh faces, including many first-time legislators. This influx of new members will shape the legislative process and could impact the direction of key policies. With Republicans likely controlling both the Senate and the presidency, expect an ambitious agenda in the first 100 days, including:

  • Budget/Spending Cuts and Regulatory Reforms: Republicans aim to tackle annual spending and push for permitting reform.
  • Transportation Funding Issues: A persistent funding shortfall in surface transportation remains, exacerbated by shifts to electric vehicles not covered by the gas tax.
  • Tax Policies: The 2017 tax cuts are set to expire in 2025, with Republicans targeting action by April 30.
  • Debt Ceiling Concerns: The debt ceiling will reappear as an issue on January 2, though the U.S. is not projected to hit the limit until May or June. Even so, this looming deadline will likely influence budget negotiations and could prompt early legislative action to address federal spending, debt obligations, and fiscal policy priorities well before reaching the limit.

FEDERAL AGENCY SPOTLIGHT

COAST GUARD (Department of Homeland Security)

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (due November 30, 2024). The Coast Guard requests individuals interested in serving on the Gulf of Mexico Area Maritime Security Advisory Committee (AMSC) Executive Steering Committee submit their applications for membership to the Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC), Eighth Coast Guard District. Requests for membership should reach the Eighth Coast Guard District by November 30, 2024.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (due December 23, 2024). The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications to fill two vacancies on the Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee (Committee). The Great Lakes Pilotage Advisory Committee provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security via the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard on matters relating to Great Lakes pilotage, including review of proposed Great Lakes pilotage regulations and policies. Complete applications must reach the U.S. Coast Guard on or before December 23, 2024.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS. Rural Business-Cooperative Service grants (due February 28, 2025). The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites the submission of applications for grants under the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program for fiscal year (FY) 2025, subject to the availability of funding. This notice is being issued prior to passage of a FY 2025 Appropriations Act in order to allow applicants sufficient time to leverage financing, prepare and submit their applications, and give the Agency time to process applications within FY 2025. Based on FY 2024 appropriated funding, the Agency estimates that approximately $30 million will be available for FY 2025. Successful applications will be selected by the Agency for funding and subsequently awarded to the extent that funding may ultimately be made available through appropriations. All applicants are responsible for any expenses incurred in developing their applications. Complete applications may be submitted in paper or electronic format and must be received by 4:30 p.m. local time on February 28, 2025, in the USDARD State Office for the State where the project is located. A list of the USDA RD State Offices can be found at: www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/state-offices.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

NOTICE OF OPEN MEETING. Electric Vehicle Working Group. The Department of Energy hereby publishes a notice of open meetings of the Electric Vehicle Working Group (EVWG). Register at: https://driveelectric.gov/ev-working-group. Dates: Wednesday, November 13, 2024; 3 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time; Wednesday, November 20, 2024; 3 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time; Friday, November 22, 2024; 1 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Start and end times may change slightly. Please visit https://driveelectric.gov/ev-working-group for the most up to date agenda.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING (pre-registration required; Nov. 21, 2024). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will hold a meeting of the Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee (STSAC) on November 21, 2024. Members of the public will be able to participate virtually via Microsoft Teams. The meeting will take place on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will adjourn at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). As listed in the Public Participation section below, requests to attend the meeting, to address the STSAC, and/or for accommodations because of a disability, must be received by November 14, 2024.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NOTICE OF MEETING. Advisory Council for Climate Adaptation Science. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is publishing this notice to announce that a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Advisory Council for Climate Adaptation Science (ACCAS) will take place and is open to members of the public. The meeting will be held in person on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central Time. A virtual attendance option will be provided. The final schedule will be made available in advance of the meeting at https://www.usgs.gov/programs/climate-adaptation-science-centers/advisory-council-climate-adaptation-science.

DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE

NOTICE OF MEETING. Prepare for International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee Meeting. The Department of State will conduct a public meeting at 10:00 a.m.  on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, both in-person at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC, and via teleconference. The primary purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the 109th session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) to be held in London, United Kingdom, from Monday, December 2, 2024, to Friday, December 06, 2024. Members of the public may participate up to the capacity of the teleconference line, which will handle 500 participants, or up to the seating capacity of the room if attending in-person. The meeting location will be the United States Coast Guard Headquarters, and the teleconference line will be provided to those who RSVP. To RSVP, participants should contact the meeting coordinator, LCDR Emily Rowan, by email at Emily.K.Rowan@uscg.mil . LCDR Rowan will provide access information for in-person and virtual attendance.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

NOTICE OF FINAL RULE AND FUNDING. Lead and Copper Rule Improvements grant program (application closes December 30, 2024). The Biden-Harris Administration has issued a final rule under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI), requiring U.S. drinking water systems to identify and replace lead pipes within the next decade. This rule mandates stricter water testing, lower lead exposure thresholds, and improved communication with communities about lead risks, pipe locations, and replacement plans. Supported by $2.6 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocates nearly half of its funds to disadvantaged communities, the initiative aims to replace lead service lines nationwide, prioritizing areas with higher lead exposure risks. Additionally, a $35 million competitive grant program invites communities to apply for further lead reduction funding. Local efforts, such as those in Milwaukee, Detroit, and Erie, have been accelerated with federal funding, contributing to the goal of eliminating lead exposure in drinking water across the U.S.

NOTICE OF MEETING. Good Neighbor Environmental Board (Nov. 13, 2024). Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives notice of a public meeting of the Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB). The purpose of this meeting is for the Board to approve its first comment letter and discuss the second comment letter that will comprise the GNEB 21st report. The meeting will be held at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters located at 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460 on November 13, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST).

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 

NOTICE OF UPDATED COURSE. The “Dams Sector: Security Awareness” course (IS-871b) has been updated and is now available for professionals in the Dams Sector to complete at their own pace. This course highlights the importance of security awareness as part of a risk management strategy. It provides guidance for owners, operators, and responders on the security factors relevant to the Dams Sector, including how security risks apply to sector assets and the principles of suspicious activity reporting. The course also complements the Dams Sector Security Awareness Handbook (FOUO). This training is the first updated course in the 2024 Dams Sector Web-based Training Series. Updates to the “Crisis Management” and “Protective Measures” courses are forthcoming, with further announcements planned as each course becomes available. The training series aims to help sector professionals understand security risks, review protective measures, and respond to security incidents effectively.

Access can be requested by contacting: DamsSector@mail.cisa.dhs.gov

NOTICE OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CORRECTION. Technical Mapping Advisory Committee Meeting (Nov. 19, 2024). On August 28, 2024, FEMA published in the Federal Register a notice announcing that the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, that will be open to the public via a Microsoft Teams Video Communications link. This document provides a correction to information provided in that notice.

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

NOTICE OF VACANCY AND REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS (nominations due November 18, 2024). The Board hereby gives notice of a vacancy on Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC) for a small shipper representative. The Board seeks nominations for candidates to fill this vacancy. Nominations are due on November 18, 2024.

U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

NOTICE OF ROLLOUT. The U.S. Army has integrated the Army Corps of Engineers Financial Management System (CEFMS) with its modernized contract writing platform, the Army Contract Writing System (ACWS), aiming to streamline contracting and improve financial management for Army Corps projects. This integration enhances expenditure tracking and keeps contract status and funding allocation updates accessible. The new system is anticipated to speed up contract processing and payments, provide better reporting tools, and give project managers the ability to track expenditures against budgets, promoting transparency and accountability. The rollout is happening gradually, with PEO Enterprise deploying the integrated system to 3,250 users in stages. The Army plans for full deployment of the upgraded ACWS by April 2025.

NWC SPOTLIGHT

REGISTRATION OPEN. 2025 NWC Legislative Summit (March 10-12, 2025): NWC, get excited to meet face-to-face and dig into the federal water and waterways resource challenges and opportunities facing the nation at our NWC Legislative Summit on March 10-12, 2025, in Washington, DC. The meeting will be held at Le Meridien, 1177 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. To learn more, visit NWC’s Legislative Summit page.

2024 NWC Annual Meeting. We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who joined us for the National Waterways Conference’s (NWC) 2024 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, held from September 18-20, 2024. The event proved to be a rewarding experience for all involved, filled with valuable sessions, insightful discussions, and numerous networking opportunities. To read the recap, go to NWC’s Annual Meeting page.