By: National Special Districts Coalition
The U.S. House and Senate are both in session this week, though lawmakers will head home for the final stretch of campaign season following the conclusion of legislative business. Both chambers will reconvene on November 12 for a lame duck session.
The main priority for congressional leaders in the coming days will be extending government funding beyond September 30. After failing to advance House Speaker Mike Johnson’s six-month stopgap funding plan last week, congressional leaders reached a bipartisan agreement over the weekend to keep the trains running through December 20. The 12-week Continuing Resolution (CR), which the House is expected to advance on Wednesday, does not include a partisan provision that would have required individuals to provide proof of citizenship in order to vote in federal elections. It also does not provide any supplemental funding for FEMA but would allow the agency to tap into its fiscal year 2025 appropriation up front. This would eliminate a shortfall FEMA has faced since August. The CR does, however, include additional funding to help the Secret Service carry out protective operations, including those related to the 2024 presidential campaign. In addition, it would temporarily extend the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, as well as the National Flood Insurance Program through December 20.
Across the Capitol, the Senate is prepared to take up the CR once it’s approved by the House.
Relevant Hearings and Markups
Senate Homeland Security: On Wednesday morning, the committee will consider a slate of bills within the panel’s jurisdiction, including a bill – the Investing in Community Resilience Act (S. 4900) – that would incentivize local governments to invest in resilience measures. Another bill on the docket (S. 5067) includes a series of reforms aimed at improving disaster assistance programs. Among other things, it would create a universal application for disaster assistance and enable federal agencies to share relevant disaster assistance information with each other. A separate measure (S. 4898) would allow extreme heat to qualify as a major disaster under the Stafford Act. Additional information on the markup, including a full list of bills under consideration, can be found here.
House Transportation and Infrastructure: On Wednesday morning, the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management will hold a hearing on the role and effectiveness of building codes in mitigating against disasters. The panel will hear from the National Emergency Management Association, the National Association of Home Builders, and others. Additional details on the hearing, including a full witness list, can be found here.
Senate Environment and Public Works: On Thursday morning, the committee will examine the public health impacts of PFAS exposures. A livestream of the event will be available here, beginning at 10am ET.
Senate Health, Education, and Labor: On Wednesday afternoon, the Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety will hold a hearing entitled, “Reading the Room: Preparing Workers for AI.” More details on the hearing can be found here.