Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For

Below are the U.S. House and Senate activities currently scheduled for the week that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources. Wednesday's markup of the House Interior and Environmental spending bill for the upcoming fiscal year should prove to be interesting. First, the subcommittee is working within a $30.17 billion spending cap for Interior Department, Forest Service and Environmental Protection Agency funding; an amount $246 million below current funding levels. Second, this bill historically has become a home for controversial Republican amendments or "riders," such as a one blocking EPA implementation of expanded Clean Water Act jurisdiction guidance or regulation. Past riders would have also blocked the Interior Department from spending money to add high-profile animals (such as the lesser prairie chicken or sage grouse) to its threatened or endangered species lists. Look for more of this same to be introduced on Wednesday.

Links are provided to the relevant committee web pages, and, where appropriate, to pieces of legislation.  Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these should be, as well (follow the appropriate link).  All times are Eastern.  This page will be updated as warranted.

Tuesday

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on several pieces of energy legislation, including S. 1218, the Nexus of Energy and Water for Sustainability (NEWS) Act of 2015;" 9:30 AM, room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Wednesday

• Senate Environment and Public Works Committee business meeting to consider S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act," to "require the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to propose a regulation revising the definition of the term “waters of the United States;” 9:30 AM, room 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
• House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment hearing on the "One Year Anniversary after Enactment: Implementation of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014;" 10:00 AM, room 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.
• Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine "the Federal Regulatory System to Improve Accountability, Transparency and Integrity” (regarding a bill introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) that would seek to limit "sue-and-settle" lawsuits by allowing for public comment prior to legal action, and to make it more difficult for third parties to sue to federal government; 10:00 AM, room 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies meeting to mark up the fiscal year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill (funding the Department of Interior, U.S. Forest Service and Environmental Protection Agency); 10:15 AM, room B-308 Rayburn House Office Building.
• Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies meeting to mark up the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, for fiscal year 2016 (funding, among other agencies, NOAA and the National Science Foundation); 10:30 AM, room 192 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks hearing on several pieces of legislation, including S. 403, the "North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act," to revise the authorized route of the North Country National Scenic Trail in northeastern Minnesota, and for other purposes; 2:30 PM, room 366 Dirksen Senate Office Building.
• House Natural Resources Committee meeting to mark up legislation (bills to be considered not yet identified); 4:00 PM, room 1324 Longworth House Office Building (will carry over on Thursday at 10:00 AM).

Thursday

• House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry hearing on "Implementing the Agricultural Act of 2014: Conservation Programs;" 10:00 AM, room 1300 Longworth House Office Building.
• House Natural Resources Committee meeting to mark up legislation (bills to be considered not yet identified); 4:00 PM, room 1324 Longworth House Office Building (carried over from Wednesday meeting).
• Senate Appropriations Committee meeting to mark up the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2016; 10:30 AM, room 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building.