Washington Waves
Johnson Reelected As Speaker
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defied expectations and won reelection on the first ballot, this time to his first two-year term. Still, his one-and-done victory came only after two Republicans switched their votes to him during an extended roll call. Johnson ended up with 218 votes compared to 215 for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and one vote for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.).
He laid out a Republican agenda that ranged from securing the border and finishing the wall, extending Trump tax cuts and restoring U.S. energy dominance to cutting funding for the New Green Deal and reducing the scope and size of the federal government.
With such a narrow majority, Johnson may have to defy expectations again if incoming President Trump and he attempt to use one huge reconciliation package instead of two to pass key elements of their agenda.
New Public Notice Module
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launched a new public notice module on its Regulatory Request System (RRS), an “innovative” online application portal to enhance transparency and improve public engagement. Users of the RRS public notice module will be able to identify projects of interest, view public notices and associated documents and submit comments, all in one convenient platform, the Corps announced.
The module allows users to easily search for notices by project name or address, organize them by state or district and view notices in either a table format or on an interactive map, according to the agency.
“By simplifying access to information and providing a straightforward comment submission process, this tool significantly improves public awareness, accessibility and participation,” the Corps said. “The new module also streamlines the comment process for projects requiring standard permits.”
RRS is accessible at https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs.
For additional information or to provide feedback, contact the Corps at rrs@usace.army.mil.
Drilling Ban
President Joe Biden has announced action to protect the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea from oil and natural gas drilling.
“My decision reflects what coastal communities, businesses and beachgoers have known for a long time: that drilling off these coasts could cause irreversible damage to places we hold dear and is unnecessary to meet our nation’s energy needs,” Biden said. “It is not worth the risks.”
A White House fact sheet said Biden “has now conserved over 670 million acres of America’s lands and waters, more than any other president in history.”
President-elect Donald Trump described Biden’s action as ridiculous.
“I’ll unban it immediately,” Trump said on the Hugh Hewitt show, referring to his plan to expand that activity in the United States. “We have oil and gas at a level that nobody else has, and we’re going to take advantage of it.”
Great Lakes Tariff
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) issued a final rule, effective January 6, on the Tariff of Tolls that allows it to revise regulations to reflect the fees and charges levied by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) of Canada. The tariff sets forth the level of tolls assessed on all commodities and vessels transiting the facilities operated by the GLS and the SLSMC.
For access to the docket, go to www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-001.
For additional information, contact Carrie Mann Lavigne at 315-764-3200.
Subcommittee Meeting
A National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (NMERPAC) subcommittee is scheduled to meet virtually January 27 on task 24-3 Operator of Remote-Controlled Survey Vessels of 65′ or less. Hosted by the Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing, the intersessional meeting will begin at 9 a.m. EST through Microsoft Teams.
NMERPAC advises, consults with and makes recommendations to the secretary of Homeland Security through the commandant of the Coast Guard on matters relating to personnel in the Merchant Marine including the training, qualifications, certification, documentation and fitness of mariners.
Those not part of the NMERPAC email list who would like to attend this meeting should contact Pamela Moore at pamela.j.moore@uscg.mil.
NVDC Forms
The National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) has announced that, as of January 2, it has officially switched over to using the latest versions of its forms (expiration date of November 30, 2026).
“There will be a 90-day transition period to start using the new forms,” the NVDC stated.
