Both chambers of Congress are back in session this week, but negotiations on the Build Back Better (BBB) Act remain on hold as the Senate’s focus has pivoted to voting right legislation for the time being. 

BBB – also known as the reconciliation package – contains a number of top NACWA priorities including funding and expanding a permanent low-income water assistance program at EPA and additional funding for EPA’s Overflow and Stormwater Reuse grants program. 

The path forward on BBB remains unclear and NACWA will continue working with Congress to ensure that if and when negotiations resume, clean water remains a key component.  NACWA is also exploring other legislative vehicles to advance these priorities if BBB does not move forward.

Also this week, Congress is beginning to work behind the scenes on a Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) omnibus appropriations package to fund the government past the current February 18^th Continuing Resolution (CR) deadline and for the remainder of the fiscal year, ending September 30^th. NACWA is engaging with Congressional appropriators to ensure that FY22 funding levels for key clean water programs are provided at the highest levels possible.

Please contact NACWA’s legislative team with any questions or to discuss further.