Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For

Below are the U.S. House and Senate activities currently scheduled this week that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources. Where available, links are provided to the relevant Committee and legislation pages on the Internet.   In addition,  sometime during the Wednesday to Friday time window, the House is expected to consider the "Nutrition Reform and Work Opportunity Act" and the Fiscal Year 2014 Continuing Appropriations Resolution 2014 (to keep the government running past September 30). The nutrition bill floor consideration reportedly will clear the way for the House Speaker to appoint farm bill conferees and start the farm bill House-Senate conferencing process.  Many of the proceedings are webcast live (follow the appropriate link).  All times are Eastern.

Tuesday

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider pending nominations, including that of Mr. Michael L. Connor to be Deputy Secretary of Interior; 9:30 AM; room SD-366 Senate Dirksen Building

Wednesday

• House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee hearing: FEMA Reauthorization: Recovering Quicker and Smarter; 10:00 AM; room 2167 Rayburn House Office Building
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power hearing on "The Obama Administration’s Climate Change Policies and Activities"; 10:15 AM; room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
• Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy hearing on "Implementation of The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Act of 2012: One Year After Enactment;" 2:30 PM, room 538 Dirksen Building

Thursday

• House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meeting to mark up the draft Water Resources Reform & Development Act of 2013 (H.R. 3080). 10:00 AM; room 2167 Rayburn House Office Building
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power Oversight Hearing on “Keeping Hydropower Affordable and Reliable: The Protection of Existing Hydropower Investments and the Promotion of New Development.”  10:00 AM; room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.

Friday

• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs Oversight Hearing on the "Department of the Interior’s proposal to use a Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for adding species to the Lacey Act’s list of injurious wildlife." 9:30 AM; room 1324 Longworth House Office Building