NWC News Alert (July 22, 2024)

Good morning NWC members,

The House of Representatives is addressing two significant bills of interest this week. The first, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 24/H.R. 8812), is slated to come up today under suspension of the rules. WRDA is critical legislation that supports the planning, construction, and maintenance of vital water infrastructure studies, projects and policies across the country for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works program. A suspension of the rules vote is a procedure used to expedite the passage of legislation by limiting debate and amendments. Given WRDA’s generally bipartisan support, this method helps prevent controversial amendments from being added while still requiring a two-thirds majority for passage.

Additionally, with the federal fiscal year ending on October 1, the House has yet to sign any of the 12 appropriations bills into law. However, it remains a priority to vote on the FY2025 bills before the summer recess next week. The FY25 Energy and Water appropriations bill (H.R. 8997) and the Interior-Environment bill (H.R. 8998) are expected to be considered soon. The House Rules Committee is meeting this afternoon to set the parameters for the floor debate. The Energy and Water bill funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works program, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Energy, while the Interior-Environment bill funds the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency. For more information on the Energy and Water bill, check out NWC’s July 11 news alert and for Interior-Environment, NWC’s July 8 news alert.

The other appropriations bills that will be considered by the House Rules Committee this week include the Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; Transportation, House and Urban Development; Commerce, Justice, Science; Agricultural, Rural Development and Food and Drug Administration; and Financial Services.

Resources:

Congressional Hearings of Interest: