NEMWI Weekly Update
September 27th, 2021
https://www.nemw.org/wp-content/themes/NEMW_ATTCK/images/nemw_logo.png
NEMWI Monitors Busy Week Ahead in Washington

NEMWI is monitoring Capitol Hill activity as Congress returns to Washington, D.C., this week with numerous deadlines approaching. The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a continuing resolution (CR) that would keep the federal government funded past the upcoming end of the current fiscal year which is September 30th. However, the House has paired the CR with a suspension of the debt ceiling, which likely will make it difficult to pass this version of the CR in the Senate, so the House might have to consider another CR later in the week. 

On top of the CR, Congress also is scheduled to take up a bipartisan infrastructure package this week. The more than $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) passed the U.S. Senate by a bipartisan vote in August, and is expected to receive a vote in the House by Thursday. However, the House is also looking to move a large reconciliation bill this week, which includes many priorities of both the Biden Administration and the Democratic Caucus. In its current form, the Build Back Better Act would provide $3.5 trillion in additional resources aimed at expanding social services, fighting climate change, increasing educational opportunities, and creating jobs, among other priorities. But with some moderate Democrats in the Senate questioning its current price tag, it’s possible that the overall package could be reduced to try to increase support in the coming week. Under the budget reconciliation rules, that bill would only need the support of 50 Senators, which is the current size of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
NEMWI Releases Updated Great Lakes Legislative Tracker 
To Monitor Great Lakes Legislation
Updated as of September 27, 2021

The Northeast-Midwest Institute has released an update to the Great Lakes Legislative Tracker that was launched in July. The tracker monitors the status of Great Lakes specific legislation as it progresses through the Congress. The tracker is currently monitoring 64 bills and three resolutions that involve the Great Lakes and water policy. 

The tracker will provide updates on the progress of bills as they advance in the legislative process. Each bill is identified by its bill number and name, a brief description, any sponsors, the committee to which it is referred, and its current status. The tracker is updated on a weekly basis. 

New bills affecting the Great Lakes are being introduced in the 117th Congress on an ongoing basis. Recent highlights include H.R. 5191 which would establish a national service program that provides conservation opportunities on public and private land, and H.R. 4976 which would ensure the removal or remediation of PFAS contamination at certain levels.

The Northeast-Midwest Institute and its Great Lakes Washington Program will continue to monitor the progress of Great Lakes legislation in the months ahead. The updated Great Lakes Legislative Tracker can be viewed Here.
Follow the Northeast-Midwest Institute on Twitter
 
FOLLOW us on Twitter! The Northeast-Midwest Institute is on Twitter with new updates and information on its regional research and policy education program and with announcements for upcoming briefings and events. NEMWI is posting our research reports on current regional issues and ongoing policy education on the page to make keeping up with our policy work easier than ever. The Institute also is updating the page with announcements of upcoming policy briefings and webinars. NEMWI is excited for the opportunity to connect with as many people as possible on our Twitter page.
 
Please check out our Twitter page here or by searching @NEMWInstitute. And be sure to FOLLOW us to keep up to date with NEMWI on Twitter!
Follow the Northeast-Midwest Institute on Facebook
 
LIKE us on Facebook! The Northeast-Midwest Institute is on Facebook with new updates and information on its regional research and policy education program and with announcements for upcoming briefings and events. NEMWI is posting our research reports on current regional issues and ongoing policy education on the page to make keeping up with our policy work easier than ever. The Institute also is updating the page with announcements of upcoming policy briefings and webinars. NEMWI is excited for the opportunity to connect with as many people as possible on our Facebook page.
 
Please check out our Facebook page here. And be sure to LIKE us to begin following NEMWI on Facebook!
This Week in Washington

In the House:

Tuesday, Sept 28, 2021 10:00 AM | 2141 Rayburn HOB Host: Committee on the Judiciary | Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law

Wednesday, Sept 29, 2021 10:00 AM | 2360 Rayburn HOB | Host: Committee on Small Business | Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development

In the Senate:

Hearings to examine the administration of laws under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Tuesday, Sep 28, 2021 10:00 AM – SD-366 Host: Energy and Natural Resources

Tuesday, Oct 05, 2021 10:00 AM – SD-366 Host: Energy and Natural Resources
‌
Notheast-Midwest Institute | nemw.org