Congress has recently focused on three major priorities prior to the November Election: 1) a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded beyond September 30th; 2) a Water Resources Development bill that could provide up to $10 billion in water infrastructure funds; and 3) an energy policy reform bill that contains western drought relief and forest management provisions.  It is likely that only the CR will be completed before Members of Congress adjourn to campaign.  The other priorities are likely to be the subject of an intense lame duck session at the end of November/early December.  

Furthermore, the CR would be slated to expire in early December, thus the fiscal situation of the federal government will remain on the agenda. 

While California is impacted by all three policy initiatives, the energy policy reform bill is especially impactful to California.  The House and Senate may address two critical issues for California in the energy bill.  Legislators negotiating the energy bill are particularly interested to find a permanent solution to the wildfire fire budget issue that results in the U.S. Forest Service use of non-fire suppression funds for fire suppression, which decreases Forest Service funding for wildfire response.  House and Senate negotiators also hope to find agreement on streamlining forest management.  As negotiations continue, House and Senate leaders are also close to a deal on drought relief to allow real-time management of water resources and authorize billions of dollars in long-term water supply, conservation, and desalination projects.  Congress could consider a final energy bill in December after Congress returns from the November elections.