A Roundup Of D.C. News Affecting The Waterways
Washington, D.C.—Exceeding expectations, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) managed to steer a budget resolution through his chamber by a vote of 217 to 215.
Now comes the hard part.
Instead of facing down opposition from fellow House Republicans, Johnson now has to reach a deal with Senate Republicans who have been advancing their own two-track budget plan. At issue: how much of President Donald Trump’s ambitious agenda to push now, including extending tax cuts from his first term and finding acceptable spending cuts, and how much to delay until later in the year.
That decision focuses on the use of a so-called reconciliation bill to avoid the need for a supermajority vote in the Senate. Looming over all of that is the March 14 deadline for keeping federal agencies from shutting down.
Federal Workforce
The Trump administration suddenly cranked up its effort to transform the federal government by issuing guidance to federal agencies on developing plans for large-scale reductions in force and agency reorganization plans, which could include relocating agencies out of Washington.
That guidance came in a memorandum from Russell Vought, director of Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and Charles Ezell, acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
“The American people registered their verdict on the bloated, corrupt federal bureaucracy on November 5, 2024, by voting for President Trump and his promises to sweepingly reform the federal government,” stated the memo, which tracks the president’s executive order implementing his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Workforce Optimization Initiative.
Trump signed that order February 11.
Agencies have until March 13 to develop their reorganization plans and submit Phase 1 to OMB and OPM. They have until April 14 for Phase 2, which is to include proposed relocations of offices from the national capital region to less costly parts of the country.
Graham Speaks At Hearing
Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham Jr. received the usual warm welcome at an oversight hearing as the commanding general and chief of engineers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Then, Rep. Chuck Fleishchmann (R-Tenn.), chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, began checking off the list of challenges facing the Corps despite a record of funding from Congress.
“Patterns have emerged in recent years that go beyond the regular course of business,” Fleishchmann said. “Projects are derailed due to inadequate engineering, requiring the Corps to go back to the drawing board in the middle of construction. The Corps has all but abandoned design and engineering when studying projects to recommend for construction, leading chiefs of engineers to certify cost estimates and projects plans based on concepts, not designs.
“We are building the plane while we are flying it,” he added.
In his statement to the panel, Graham acknowledged challenges such as cost estimates that become outdated because projects span multiple fiscal years, gaps in early design maturity, supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages and inflation. He said the Corps is implementing strategies to enhance project delivery efficiency and cost predictability, strengthening preconstruction engineering and design requirements and using risk management principles.
WRDA Comments
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it is seeking public comments on guidance on implementing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 and holding stakeholder sessions on the new law.
Comments, due by April 28, may be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. COE-2024-0004, by email at WRDA2024@usace.army.mil with Docket No. COE-2024-0004 in the subject line or mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Ms. Amy Frantz, CEW–P, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 3F91, 441 G St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20314.
Three two-hour stakeholder sessions are scheduled at 2 p.m. Eastern on March 12, March 26 and April 9. An additional stakeholder session will be held at 2 p.m. Eastern on April 2 to focus on topics related to tribal nations and will be open to the general public. The stakeholder sessions will use webinars and teleconferences by means of the web link https://usace1.webex.com/meet/WRDA2024 with teleconference information at 1-844-800-2712 Code 1992 62 9020. For additional information, contact Lauren Leuck at 703-839-0383 or lauren.d.leuck.civ@army.mil.
FEMA Review
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a notice on President Trump’s establishment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council. Established by an executive order, the council is to advise the president and other officials on FEMA’s ability to capably and impartially address disasters and recommend changes to best serve the national interest.
“Americans deserve an immediate, effective and impartial response to and recovery from disasters,” DHS stated.
In the February 21 Federal Register, DHS cited concerns of political bias, a lost mission focus and diversion of resources beyond its authority and using funds to welcome “illegal aliens.” According to the executive order, the council shall be composed of not more than 20 members, including the secretaries of homeland security and defense. Other members shall include relevant agency heads and distinguished individuals and representatives from outside the federal government.
“This notice is not a solicitation for membership,” DHS stated.
For additional information, contact Patrick Powers at 202-891-2283 or femareviewcouncil@hq.dhs.gov.
CBP Announcement
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it is extending the Vessel Entrance and Clearance Automation Test that allows participants to submit vessel entry and clearance data and requests electronically until February 21, 2027.
Initially announced in November 2022, the test began in the Port of Gulfport, Miss. It allows the electronic submission of certain data and requests through the Vessel Entrance and Clearance System (VECS), which is now deployed nationwide. Written comments concerning this notice and any aspect of the test may be submitted to Brian Sale at OFO-ManifestBranch@cbp.dhs.gov. In the subject line of the email, write ‘‘Comments on the Vessel Entrance and Clearance Automation Test.’’
EPA Decision
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s decision to uphold the current April 28 implementation date to provide parity for E15 and E10 ethanol blends in Midwestern states. Requested by the governors of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin, EPA stated, the action provides regulatory certainty for fuel suppliers and expands consumer access to E15 year-round in these states.
