Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For UPDATED

Below are the U.S. House and Senate activities currently scheduled for this week that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources. On Tuesday afternoon the House overwhelmingly (412 to 4 - roll call vote tally here) approved a national water resources bill - the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The Senate is expected to take up the measure on Thursday, where it should also easily pass. See this article for more details on that measure and of its relevance to the Mississippi River Basin and Coastal Louisiana.

Links are provided to the relevant committee pages on the Internet, and, where appropriate, to pieces of legislation. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these should be, as well (follow the appropriate link).  All times are Eastern.  This page will be updated as warranted.

Monday

• House Rules Committee meeting to consider the rules for debate on H.R. 4660-the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Fiscal Year 2015, including funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 5:00 PM, room H-313 The Capitol (this may clear the way for full House consideration of the bill later in the week).  The bill would cut climate research and prioritize weather forecasting at NOAA.

Tuesday

• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations legislative hearing on several bills, including H. R. 4272, the “Forest Access in Rural Communities Act,” requiring the U.S. Forest Service to cease all implementation and enforcement of travel management rules altering public access to National Forest System lands; 9:30 AM; room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies mark-up of Fiscal Year 2015 Agriculture Appropriations Bill; 10:00 AM; room 2362-A Rayburn House Office Building.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs oversight hearing on "Oil and Gas Activities within Our Nation's Wildlife Refuge System;" 2:00 PM, room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.
• Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies mark-up of Fiscal Year 2015 Agriculture Appropriations Bill; 3:00 PM, room SD-192 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Wednesday

• House Science, Space and Technology Committee markup of S. 1254, the “Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2013”  2:00 PM, room 2318 Rayburn House Office Building.

Thursday

• Senate Appropriations Committee (full committee) mark-up of Fiscal Year 2015 Agriculture Appropriations Bill; 10:30 AM, room SD-106 Dirksen Senate Office Building.