This week, the House Appropriations Committee approved its FY 2017 Energy and Water (E&W) spending bill by voice vote. The $37.4 billion measure would block the administration from implementing its recent Clean Water Act jurisdictional rule and boost funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to a record $6.1 billion -- $100 million more than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
In addition, the House measure includes provisions to allow flexibility in the operations of California’s major water projects, relaxing water-saving restrictions in periods of heavy rainfall. House floor action on the E&W spending bill could occur as early as next week. The Senate is considering their version of the FY 2017 Energy and Water appropriations measure on the floor. Senate Leaders are planning to require 60 votes to attach any amendments to the measure in a bid to ensure bipartisan backing. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) had been threatening to add $220 million in emergency aid for the city of Flint to the E&W spending bill, but announced yesterday she has dropped that effort and will look for another vehicle to push her Flint aid package.