What Politico’s Morning Energy Report says about the water bill under consideration in the Senate.
“ON-WRDA: The Senate’s water infrastructure bill is on track to pass this week after an overwhelming procedural vote Monday night to keep it moving along. The last issue to work out is a dredging dispute between Connecticut and New York that ME detailed for you on Friday, but bill managers are optimistic they will get a deal to clear the way for final passage of their Water Resources Development Act. “We’re floating a compromise that basically urges the states to … work together,” Sen. Barbara Boxer told reporters after the Senate voted 90-1 to invoke cloture on the bill.
Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe Monday night offered a manager’s amendment (and summary) that included about 35 uncontroversial amendments submitted to the bill (S. 2848 ). Among the new additions are a provision establishing a way for EPA to pay claims related to cleanup of the Gold King mine spill and a reauthorization of the Denali Commission. EPW aides tell ME they want to hold a vote on the manager’s amendment today and hope for final passage to come tomorrow(Wednesday). The $10.6 billion bill authorizes flood control, navigation and other water projects around the country. It also includes aid for communities like Flint, Mich., to upgrade drinking water infrastructure, paid for by effectively ending an Energy Department auto manufacturing loan guarantee program.
The House may pass its narrower WRDA bill this month too, which would give the two chambers time to reconcile their bills in a lame duck session, according to Rep. Bob Gibbs, who chairs the subcommittee with jurisdiction over the bill. “What we’re hoping is to get the House bill through this month — we’re hoping that could happen and then we could go to conference in November,” the Ohio Republican told reporters Monday. A House Transportation subpanel has called a Thursday hearing to examine recently completed Chief’s Reports”