» Legislative Alerts Archive

This morning, Senate Republicans blocked Democrats from adding $25 billion for highways, mass transit, and water projects to the economic recovery bill, S. 336 . Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) offered an amendment to increase water infrastructure funding in the Senate recovery package to $13 billion.  This included $10 billion for the clean water state revolving fund (CWSRF) and $3 billion for the drinking water state revolving fund (DWSRF).  NACWA sent a letter Tuesday to every member of the Senate in support of the amendment.

Republicans, however, insisted that additional infrastructure projects be paid for with cuts elsewhere in the bill and called for a point of order on the amendment.  Democrats were only able to garner 58 votes, just two shy of the supermajority needed under Senate budget rules to waive the point of order and approve the amendment.  Just two Republicans supported the amendment, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Christopher Bond of Missouri. Edward Kennedy, (D-Mass.), and Judd Gregg, (R-N.H.), named Tuesday morning to become Commerce secretary, did not vote.

NACWA will redouble its efforts to shore up support in the Senate for additional water infrastructure spending.  Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Chairwoman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is offering several amendments to increase funding for infrastructure programs in the recovery package.  Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) also plans to offer an amendment specifying that the funding can be made available to communities in the form of grants.  NACWA member agencies are strongly encouraged to contact their senators and urge them to support more funding for wastewater projects in the Senate bill.

Once the Senate passes its version, a conference committee will be convened to reconcile it with the House language.  This will provide an additional opportunity for NACWA member agencies to weigh in with their senators and House members to further shape the bill.  President Obama will also be very active during these negotiations.  NACWA member agencies are encouraged to urge any contacts in the Obama administration to support more funding for wastewater projects.