Washington Waves (WRDA portion)
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Members of Congress ended a weeks-long legislative break and returned to the U.S. Capitol to face a daunting schedule to keep federal agencies open and approve must-pass bills. Those measures include the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2024, a popular biennial measure that authorizes flood control, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
After the Senate passed its version (S. 4367) by unanimous consent following a 359-13 vote approving the House version (HR 8812), key lawmakers have been reconciling differences to reach a final version.
“Nothing specific on any potential timing right now,” a House aide said.
Lawmakers face a harder deadline on reaching agreement on a stopgap measure to avoid shutting down government agencies. Funding for the current fiscal year expires at midnight September 30. According to the House and Senate calendars, the two chambers have scheduled only13 and 15 legislative days this month.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) could face the same challenges that led his chamber to begin their annual August break early without holding a floor vote on the Energy and Water Development spending bill, an important measure for the waterways industry.
