Washington Report – January 8, 2024

Happy New Year from APWA Government Affairs.

Due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, Jan. 15, the APWA Washington Report will next be published on Jan. 22.

Congress Returns this Week

• The U.S. House and Senate return this week and the top order of business is to complete FY 2024 appropriations;
• The federal government is currently operating under a two-part continuing resolution (CR) with funding to the Depts. of Transportation, Agriculture, Energy, and the Veterans Admin. funded through Jan. 19, and the remaining appropriations measures set to expire Feb. 2;
• Over the weekend, an outline agreement for completing FY24 appropriations was announced that sets a topline number of $1.7T to fund the federal government through Sept. 30 when FY24 ends;
• President Biden reportedly supports the agreement as does Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY);
• Be sure to follow us on X and LinkedIn for developments.

DOT Bridge Program Funding Available—Applications Due March 19

• The Federal Highway Admin. (FHWA) has released a notice of funding opportunity for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funded Bridge Investment Program, Planning and Bridge Project Grants;
• Additional information is available here;
• For links to all federal IIJA funding opportunities and program information, regularly check APWA’s Infrastructure Law page.

APWA Joins Letter Urging Maximum Water Funding in President’s Budget

• APWA joined a coalition of groups in the water sector on a letter urging full funding of $3.25B each for the Drinking Water and Clean Water state revolving funds (SRFs) in President Biden’s 2025 budget request to Congress;
• The letter makes the case by pointing out that:
  • IIJA reauthorized the SRFs at increased annual appropriations from 2022 to 2025 yet Congress maintained funding for the SRFs at pre-IIJA levels – $1.6B for the Clean Water SRFs and $1.1B for the Drinking Water SRFs – for the last three years
  • In the past two years, Congress diverted over $2.3B from SRF state priority projects to pay for congressional earmarks and SRFs have been forced to use short-term supplemental funding in IIJA to backfill these cuts
  • Repairing and replacing aging infrastructure has become more expensive with inflation and supply chain challenges driving up the cost of construction and financing along with complying with more stringent water quality standards that require new investments in sophisticated and often pricey treatment technologies.

Reminder: Contact Congress for Greater Flexibility on Water Infrastructure Projects

• As a public works professional and APWA member it is vital Congress hears from you about legislation impacting infrastructure;
• Take a minute to contact your U.S. Representative to urge them to cosponsor two bipartisan pieces of legislation: H.R. 250, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Parity Act; and H.R. 1181;
• Both bills are consistent with APWA policy priorities supporting greater access to funding and aligning permitting more closely with project construction schedules;
• If you aren’t receiving APWA action alerts, text PWX to 52886.

APWA Participating in National Homeland Security Consortium Winter Conference

• APWA Government Affairs Manager Marty Williams will join APWA members Mike Millette of South Elgin, IL, and Mark Ray of Burnsville, MN, Jan. 9 for the 2024 National Homeland Security Consortium (NHSC) Winter Conference in Washington, D.C.;
• NHSC meets twice a year to exchange information and produce recommendations that are shared among its respective organizations and disseminated on a widespread, non-member organization basis;
• During this conference, Ray will serve as a panelist during a session on “Managing Critical Infrastructure in a Time of Civil Unrest”;
• APWA is a member of the NHSC and, along with over 20 other national organizations, will meet to discuss issues including emergency preparedness/response, public safety, and public health.

CISA Releases Security Action Guide for Critical Infrastructure Workers

• The Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) is out with a Personal Security Considerations Action Guide: Critical Infrastructure Workers;
• The CISA guide provides recommendations and resources designed to prevent and mitigate threats to critical infrastructure workers’ personal safety on and off the job.

FEMA Exercise Support Application Period Now Open

• Exercise support is provided to state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions at no cost through the agency’s National Exercise Program;
• Types of support include assistance with exercise planning, design, scenario development, conduct and evaluation
• Pre-register for FEMA webinars about the exercise support process by visiting FEMA’s webinar page;
• The hour-long webinar dates and times (ET):
  • Jan. 9, 2 p.m.
  • Jan. 11, 10 a.m.
  • Jan. 16, 4 p.m.
  • Jan. 18, 10 a.m.
  • Jan. 22, 2 p.m.
  • Jan. 24, 4 p.m.

On the Horizon

All times ET.

• Jan. 11 at 10 a.m., the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2024: Members’ Day Hearing;
• Jan. 11 at 10 a.m., the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Safeguarding Americans’ Communications – Strengthening Cybersecurity in a Digital Era;
• Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing will Examine Federal Electric Vehicle Incentives.

Explore APWA’s Member Advocacy Tools:

• APWA Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Resource page
• APWA Government Affairs LinkedIn
• 118th Congress Public Policy Priorities
• Legislative Action Center
• “What is Public Works?”
• Tell Your Story
• Public Works Research