Week of July 27th – Congressional Updates
Fiscal Year 2021 Funding
Last week, the House of Representatives approved the fiscal year 2021 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill, as a part of a larger spending package. In total, the bill includes $36.76 billion in regular appropriations, an increase of $771 million above the FY 2020 enacted level and $15 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations for investments in critical infrastructure.
Highlights of the appropriations include for FY 21:
- Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund: $1,126,088,000 (equal to FY2020 enacted)
- Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund: $1,638,826,000 (equal to FY2020 enacted)
- Public Water System Supervision Grants: $117,000,000 (FY2020 enacted – $106,000,000)
Emergency Supplemental Appropriations:
- Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund: $3,855,000,000
- Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund: $6,355,000,000
More information is available here: Full Bill Text | Summaries and Highlights
The Senate has yet to develop their own spending proposals. More than likely, we will see stop gap funding through a continuing resolution to keep the government funded come October 1st.
Water Resource Development Act
This week, the House is expected to approve its version the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) reauthorization. The House bill focuses on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policies and project authorizations, while the broader Senate bill passed the Committee but has not yet been brought to the Senate floor for a vote. Lawmakers plan to negotiate a final WRDA agreement this fall.
July 28th House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Climate Change’s Hearing on the Safe Drinking Water Act
Tomorrow, ASDWA President Shellie Chard will provide testimony at the hearing, titled, “There’s Something in the Water: Reforming Our Nation’s Drinking Water Standards”. The hearing starts at 11 AM EDT and will be streamed on the Committee’s website here.
