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In this
issue: WRDA
likely to be vetoed by President Bush Continuing
resolution passed as appropriations remain stalled WRDA likely to be vetoed by President
Bush It has
been widely reported that President Bush will veto the 2007 Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA) when the bill is presented for his signature.� The White House began sending these signals
in July, and recently a draft document that would accompany his veto has been
quoted in news stories. The President�s concerns appear to focus on the size
of the bill.� However, it should be
noted that this bill is five years overdue.�
It is meant to be biennial legislation, and the last WRDA bill was
enacted in 2000.� Additionally, this is
an authorization bill, and does not actually spend any taxpayer dollars.� Instead, it authorizes projects that must
then compete for funding in the annual appropriations process. The bill,
which has not yet hit the President�s desk, enjoys strong Congressional
support.� After passing their own
versions of the bill, the House and Senate recently passed the compromise
conference report by wide margins.� The
Northwest Congressional delegation unanimously supported this legislation,
and has been critical in securing provisions of interest to PNWA members. If the
President does veto the bill, it will head back to Congress.� A two-thirds super-majority would be
required in both the House and Senate to override the President�s veto.� The largest obstacle in this scenario will
be time, as both chambers have many pressing items to resolve before the end
of the year.� The schedule is most
limited in the Senate, which has not made much headway in passing the annual
appropriations bills that fund the government (see related story).� It will be a challenge for bill managers to
jockey for position on the Senate calendar to have this legislation
considered a final time this fall. PNWA will
send letters of support to the House and Senate if the President vetoes the
bill.� PNWA is grateful for the ongoing
support of the Northwest Congressional delegation, and we look forward to
eventually celebrating when this bill is finally completed.� For more information about WRDA, including
provisions that are important to PNWA members, please visit www.pnwa.net and
click on �Water Resources Development Act�. PNWA
Staff Contact: Kristin Meira Continuing resolution passed as
appropriations remain stalled As
reported in previous Nor�westers,
work on many of the annual appropriations bills that fund the federal
government remain stalled.� This
includes the Energy & Water appropriations bill, which funds the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers. Congress
recently passed a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily fund agencies in
the FY2008 fiscal year, which began October 1, 2007.� This CR will run through November 16th,
and allows agencies to spend at FY2007 levels.� PNWA members may remember that the FY2007
appropriations process was also never completed, and a year-long �FY2007 work
plan� was instituted.� This work plan
funded the agencies at FY2006 levels. It is
widely believed that another CR will be needed in mid-November, as there are
serious conflicts between Congress and the White House about domestic
spending for the new year.� The
President proposed his budget in February, and since then, House and Senate
appropriators have drafted their own spending plans.� However, the President has signaled his
intention to veto any spending bill that is higher than his February
proposal.� In fact, he has even
publicly stated his intention to veto an omnibus spending bill, if it
includes numbers that are higher than the amounts in his Administration�s
budget. PNWA
strongly supports the House and Senate Energy & Water appropriations
bills, which provide significant increases for critical projects in the
Northwest.� This year, the House bill
recommends increases of $9,351,000 for eight PNWA projects, and the Senate
bill has $8,320,000 in additional PNWA priority project funding.� These numbers are increases over and above
the Administration�s recommended funding levels, and signal Congress�
recognition that not all critical projects were captured in the President�s
budget.� PNWA and its diverse
membership appreciate the efforts of our Northwest Congressional delegation
to secure these funding increases, and we will continue to engage in the
appropriations process to meet Northwest needs.� For more information, or to find out how to
get involved please contact PNWA at 503-234-8550 or www.pnwa.net.� PNWA
Staff Contact: Kristin Meira 2007 PNWA Annual Meeting next week!
The 2007 PNWA Annual Meeting is less than one
week away!� If you haven�t already
done so, make plans to attend and register *today*!� Our program is filled with a host of top
notch speakers from around the region, addressing issues of interest to
every PNWA member! 2007 PNWA Annual Meeting October 10th-12th, 2007 Red Lion Hotel at the Quay 1-800-RED-LION Featured speakers of the 2007 Annual Meeting
include: Doug Badger, Executive Director, Beth Ginsberg, Attorney, Stoel Rives
LLP Greg Graham, Deputy District Engineer for Project Management,
USACE Walla Walla District Wally Hickerson, Vice President, CH2M
Hill Laura Hicks, Project Manager, USACE Portland District Dennis Kern, Vice President, Dale Learn, Vice President, Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government
Relations Jeff McEwen, Regional Manager, Hanjin Alex McGregor, President, The McGregor Company Dr. David Shelton, Executive Director, Steve Wright, CEO, Bonneville Power Administration Henry Yates, Federal Government Relations Manager, PNWA Staff Contact: Heather
Kenneson Pacific Northwest Waterways Association www.pnwa.net |
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