With a September 30^th funding deadline fast approaching, Congress is working to finalize a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government in operation. The Senate voted 72-13 late on Sept. 27 to advance a CR that would keep the government funded at existing levels until December 16. 

As part of a deal to secure support from Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) for the Inflation Reduction Act in August, Senate leadership agreed to include language around permitting reform for energy projects in earlier versions of the CR. However, Democrats and environmental organizations quickly pushed back on the permitting language, citing concerns including the impact to disadvantaged communities’ ability to weigh in on fossil fuel projects. Senate and House Republican raised additional frustration about attaching this language to a “must-pass” spending bill. 

Given this opposition, the permitting language was dropped from the CR.  The Senate is expected to give final approval to the bill as soon as today, with the House following quickly thereafter and President Biden signing it so that there is no lapse in funding. The bill does include $20 million in funding to help address the recent water infrastructure problems in Jackson, MS. 

Members with questions can contact Danielle Cloutier, NACWA’s Director of Legislative Affairs.