Clean Water Current

(August 7, 2019) – Prior to leaving Washington, DC last week for the August recess, the Senate passed a sweeping two-year budget deal that will raise the federal debt limit until mid-2021 and increase current spending caps put in place by the 2011 Budget Control Act by $320 billion over the next two years. 

The budget deal, which previously passed the House, was signed into law by President Trump. Both the House and Senate are now adjourned for the summer until after Labor Day in September.

The deal now sets the stage for Congress to advance appropriations packages before the start of Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), beginning October 1, under the new, increased spending levels and likely avoid a government shutdown.

NACWA will continue working with appropriators over the next two months to ensure inclusion of several key clean water priorities in the Interior and Environment funding portion of the FY20 budget bill, which funds EPA and core clean water infrastructure programs like the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA).  The new spending levels set under the budget deal provide good momentum for NACWA and the water sector to further build upon the appropriations gains made over the past two fiscal years.

NACWA encourages all of its members to engage with their respective Members of Congress over this August recess on the importance of robust federal clean water funding, and invite the members to a facility tour to see first-hand how the funding positively impacts their constituents.

Please contact Jason Isakovic, NACWA’s Legislative Director, with any questions.