Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For - UPDATED

Steve Helber, AP Photo

U.S. House members began their summer recess following last Wednesday's votes, not to return until September 8.  That exodus leaves only the Senate in session this week.  Below are the only two Senate activities currently scheduled for the week that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources.  Links are provided to the relevant committee web pages. Many Congressional proceedings are webcast live, and these may be, as well (follow the respective meeting or hearing link).  All times are Eastern.  This information will be updated as warranted. 

Tuesday

• Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing entitled, “Oversight of Litigation at the Environmental Protection Agency and Fish and Wildlife Service: Impacts on the U.S. Economy, States, Local Communities and the Environment;” 9:30 AM, room 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Wednesday

• NEW - Senate Environment and Public Works Committee meeting to markup the ARENA Act (an energy bill), will include a markup of  S.1523, a measure to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, S. 1500, to strip EPA of its authority to issue Clean Water Act permits for pesticide spraying over waterways, and S. 722, to amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to extend by 10 years a requirement that interest on wildlife restoration funds be allocated to finance certain North American wetlands conservation projects; 10:00 AM, room 406 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

Thursday

• CANCELED - Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management hearing on "Agency Progress in Retrospective Review of Existing Regulations," including testimony from and questioning of executive staff from the Department of Interior, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Department of Agriculture; 9:00 AM, room 342, Dirksen Senate Office Building.