This week, Congress was stalled on both the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and a third minibus that includes Interior and Environment Appropriations for FY 2019. A Continuing Resolution (CR) that was approved by both the House and Senate that would keep the government running through at least December 7 is also in jeopardy as the President as expressed frustration with the deal.
As a reminder, last week, the House and Senate reached an agreement of the biennial Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which include a number of major provisions that benefit drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and policy. The conference report for the bill, known as America's Water Infrastructure Act (S. 3021), was passed unanimously by the House on Sept. 13.
On September 19, WEF and other water sector leaders sent a letter of support to the Senate Chair and Ranking Member for the Environment and Public Works Committee.
However, there are currently several holds on the bill in the Senate, so passage is on hold. Passage is possible next week, but not guaranteed.
Also this week, negotiators from both parties continued to work on HR 6147, another minibus, which includes Interior - Environment appropriations, but there are still several sticking points, including riders added by the House, but will not pass in the Senate. Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) says there is still hope for a deal by month’s end.
Meanwhile, though on September 13, House Appropriations Committee Chair Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), also announced that appropriators have cut a deal to keep all the government funded through at least December 7, President Trump voiced his displeasure with the CR, leaving open the possibility that the government may not be funded after September 30 if a solution is not reached.
