Capitol Hill This Week - What to Watch For

Russell Senate Office Building

Last week's release of the Obama administration's fiscal year 2016 budget proposal (found here, and explained from a Mississippi River perspective here) marked the start of the House and Senate budget-proposal-hearings' season, including several basin-related budget hearings scheduled for this week (see below).  There are a few other, more directly Basin-centric, Hill activities scheduled as well.  On Wednesday, the House is scheduled to take up the Senate's version of the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act, which is essentially the previously-House-passed measure, amended somewhat.  President Obama is poised to veto the bill following likely House passage.

Below are the U.S. House and Senate committee activities currently scheduled for this week that relate to Mississippi River Basin water resources.   Links are provided below to relevant committee web pages, 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. 

Tuesday

• Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security hearing entitled, "Keeping Goods Moving," focusing on the U.S. supply chain, particularly the importance of efficiently functioning U.S. ports; 10:00 AM, room 253 Senate Russell Office Building
• House Rules Committee meeting to determine the floor rules for the consideration of S.1, the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act; 5:00 PM, room H-313 The Capitol

Wednesday

• House Agriculture Committee hearing to review the state of the rural economy; 10:00 AM, room 1300 Longworth House Office Building
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development budget hearing on the Army Corps of Engineers, Civil Works; 10:30 AM, room 2362-B Rayburn House Office Building
• Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2016 funding request and budget justification for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the U.S. Department of the Interior; 2:30 PM, room 192 Dirksen Senate Office Building
• House Energy and Commerce Committee mark up of H.R. 212, the Drinking Water Protection Act (would require U.S. EPA to develop a strategic plan for protecting drinking water from algal toxins); opening statements for the markup are Wednesday, 5:00 PM, room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building; markup is Thursday, Feb. 12, at 10 AM in the same room (see below).

Thursday

• House Agriculture Committee business meeting to consider the fiscal year 2016 Budget Views and Estimates Letter for the agencies and programs under jurisdiction of the Committee; 9:30 AM, room 1300 Longworth House Office Building
• House Energy and Commerce Committee mark up of H.R. 212, the Drinking Water Protection Act (would require U.S. EPA to develop a strategic plan for protecting drinking water from algal toxins); opening statements for the markup are Wednesday, 5:00 PM, room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building; markup is Thursday, Feb. 12, at 10 AM in the same room (see above).
• House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development budget hearing - Bureau of Reclamation; 10:30 AM, room 2362-B Rayburn House Office Building