{"id":4804,"date":"2025-07-03T12:00:25","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T12:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waterways.org\/?p=4804"},"modified":"2025-07-08T00:10:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T00:10:50","slug":"nwc-federal-spotlight-july-3-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waterways.org\/wordpress2\/nwc-federal-spotlight-july-3-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"NWC Federal Spotlight (July 3, 2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"

A special thanks to <\/em><\/strong>Valley Water<\/em><\/strong><\/a> for their generous support of this Federal Spotlight. Your commitment helps drive our mission forward.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

NWC members,<\/p>\n

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As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, it is worth remembering how essential our nation\u2019s waterways were to the founding of the country. During the Revolutionary War, rivers moved supplies, connected communities, and supported early strategies for defense and survival. Waterways were the original lifelines of commerce, communication, and national identity. That legacy continues today as we work to ensure sound federal policies and strong investments that support navigation, flood protection, water supply, hydropower, ecosystem restoration, and recreation across the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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On the policy front, Congress is in session this week and working quickly to reconcile key legislative priorities before the holiday. The Senate passed its version of the reconciliation measure this week, and the House is expected to take it up shortly in hopes of sending it to the president.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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From the agency side, we want to acknowledge that Mr. Eddie Belk<\/strong>, Director of Civil Works at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will officially retire on July 31. His decades of leadership and service have made a lasting impact on the Corps and the broader water resources community. Also of note, USACE has opened two public comment periods on Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Reissuance and Modifications of Nationwide Permits<\/strong>, marking an important development in the agency\u2019s environmental review process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A quick reminder to register for NWC\u2019s Annual Meeting<\/strong> in Norfolk, Virginia, this September. General Jason Kelly has confirmed his participation, and we are awaiting final confirmation from USACE leadership. We are looking forward to a dynamic and meaningful gathering focused on the future of our nation\u2019s water resources.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Interested in federal policy issues? Be sure to join our rescheduled Legislative Policy Committee meeting on Monday, July 14 at 4:00 PM Eastern<\/strong>. If you cannot make it this time, we normally meet the first Thursday of each month at 4:00 PM Eastern. Let Julie know and she will be happy to send you a calendar invite.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Whether you are celebrating with fireworks, family, quiet reflection, or your favorite dessert, we wish you a joyful and meaningful Fourth of July. May this holiday serve as a reminder of both how far we have come and how much we can still achieve together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Best,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Julie, Cherise<\/span> and Nicole<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The NWC team<\/p>\n

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT<\/strong><\/p>\n

BLOG. PHMSA Requests Input on Regulatory Reform<\/strong> (Van Ness Feldman, June 28, 2025). In a recent blog post<\/a>, Van Ness Feldman highlights two Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRMs) issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on June 4. These ANPRMs invite public comment on whether certain pipeline safety and hazardous materials regulations should be repealed or amended to eliminate unnecessary burdens and improve government efficiency. PHMSA is seeking input on specific provisions that may be outdated or cost-prohibitive, as well as data on safety outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and potential alternatives. The agency is also considering whether long-standing special permits with strong safety records should be incorporated into the broader regulatory framework. Comments are due by August 4, and future rulemaking could follow based on this input.<\/p>\n

CONGRESSIONAL\/ GOVERNMENTWIDE SPOTLIGHT<\/strong><\/p>\n

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OVERVIEW. <\/strong>Congress was originally scheduled to be out this week for the July 4th recess, but members stayed in Washington due to fast\u2011approaching deadlines tied to President Trump\u2019s reconciliation effort. The Senate passed its version last week, and the House is expected to take it up shortly while leadership works to finalize a package acceptable to both chambers and the White House. That compressed schedule has created rare summer floor urgency as negotiations continue behind the scenes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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RECONCILATION MOVES BACK TO HOUSE\u2014House Poised To Pass Senate Bill. <\/strong> On July 1, the Senate passed its version of the budget reconciliation package, officially titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), by a narrow vote of 51 to 50. Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie breaking vote. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina voted against the bill. Reported reasons for their opposition included concerns about the impact on Medicaid recipients, the long-term fiscal outlook, and disagreement with specific policy provisions. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill could increase the federal deficit by approximately 3.3 to 3.9 trillion dollars over the next ten years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Several provisions were removed from the bill prior to passage based on the Byrd Rule. The Byrd Rule is a Senate rule that limits what can be included in a reconciliation package. It prohibits provisions that are considered unrelated to federal spending or revenue. The rule is intended to keep the reconciliation process focused strictly on budgetary matters.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Following the vote, Senator Tillis announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026. The bill now returns to the House, where members are reviewing the Senate’s changes. While there was initial uncertainty about passage, the House is expected to pass the Senate language on July 3.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Want to know more about Senate-Passed Reconciliation Bill? Check out some of these articles:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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