The Latest: A Weekly Federal Update (03/21/22)
Upcoming Events & Activities
March 21st, 2021 - March 25th, 2022
All events in Eastern Standard Time
Monday, March 21st
10:00 AM - House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee: Hearing on "A Review of Coast Guard Efforts to Improve Small Passenger Vessels Safety"
11:00 AM - Senate Judiciary Committee: Hearing on "The Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (Day 1)
Tuesday, March 22nd
9:00 AM - Senate Judiciary Committee: Hearing on "The Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (Day 2)
10:00 AM - Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry Committee: Hearing on "Rural Quality of Life: Opportunities and Challenges for the Rural Care Economy"
10:00 AM - Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee: Hearing to markup S. 3262 (the FREIGHT Act), S. 3580 (Ocean Shipping Reform Act), S. 3662 (Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act), and other bills
10:15 AM - Senate Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs Committee: Hearing on "Building a Resilient Economy: Shoring Up Supply"
Wednesday, March 23rd
9:00 AM - Senate Judiciary Committee: Hearing on "The Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (Day 3)
10:00 AM - Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee: Hearing on " Developing Next Generation Technology for Innovation"
10:00 AM - Senate Environment & Public Works Committee: Hearing on " Promoting American Energy Security by Facilitating Investments & Innovation in Climate Solutions"
2:30 PM - Senate Indian Affairs Committee: Hearing to receive testimony on S. 1397 (Tribal Health Data Improvement Act) and other bills
Thursday, March 24th
9:00 AM - Senate Judiciary Committee: Hearing on "The Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (Day 4)
Friday, March 25th
No meetings to report.
Energy, Water & Environment
The latest from the House and Senate Committees on energy (infrastructure), WIFIA, wastewater management, environmental issues, interior, or environmental justice.
Legislation
H.R. 7094, To provide greater output, price stability, and regulatory certainty with respect to domestic energy production in the United States and exports
Sponsor: Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee; Natural Resources Committee; Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Date Introduced: March 15, 2022
H.R. 7102, To prohibit the export of crude oil and finished motor gasoline produced in the United States
Sponsor: Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18) referred to Foreign Affairs Committee
Date Introduced: March 16, 2022
H.R. 7115, To amend the Natural Gas Act to expedite approval of exports of small volumes of natural gas
Sponsor: Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
H.R. 7119, To amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to authorize the selection of eligible projects to be carried out using collaborative project delivery methods
Sponsor: Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) referred to Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
H.R. 7129, To prohibit the importation of crude oil from Iran
Sponsor: Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA-50) referred to Ways & Means Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
H.R. 7142, To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue a final rule adding as a class all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom to the list of hazardous air pollutants under section 112(b) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7412(b))
Sponsor: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI-02) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
H.R. 7143, To provide for energy rebates to individual taxpayers
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA-05) referred to Ways & Means Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
H.R. 7155, To prohibit the importation of petroleum and petroleum products from the Russian Federation, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish an income tax credit for the sale or blending of certain fuels containing ethanol and to extend tax incentives for biodiesel and renewable diesel, to amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid vapor pressure limitations under that Act
Sponsor: Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04) referred to Ways & Means Committee; Energy & Commerce Committee; Agriculture Committee
Date Introduced: March 18, 2022
H.R. 7171, To exempt certain vessels transporting liquefied natural gas from certain coastwise endorsement requirements
Sponsor: Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA-10) referred to Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Date Introduced: March 18, 202
News
Federal Register: FERC Seeks Public Comments on Interim Natural Gas Pipeline Rule
Until April 4, 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is accepting public comments regarding an interim policy statement, which describes the Commission's procedures for evaluating climate impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and describes how the Commission will integrate climate consideration into its public interest determinations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA). FERC is accepting comments on the information collection until May 10, 2022.
Politico: SEC Outlines Climate Disclosure Rules for Businesses
On Monday, March 21st, the Securities & Exchanges Commission released a proposal to require companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and be held accountable on their climate promises. The rule would also generate detailed information on how corporations, financial services firms, and other businesses are being affected by climate change. Companies that have promised to eliminate or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions must report annually their progress, including delineating their use of offsets.
Transportation & Infrastructure
The latest from the House and Senate Committees on industrial and commercial mechanical insulation, cybersecurity, supply chains, port authority, metropolitan transit, or airports.
Legislation
H.R. 7084, To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require, for purposes of ensuring cybersecurity, the inclusion in any premarket submission for a cyber device of information to demonstrate a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness throughout the lifecycle of the cyber device
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX-26) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: March 15, 2022
H.R. 7085, To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make pre-development grants
Sponsor: Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA-02) referred to Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; Financial Services Committee
Date Introduced: March 15, 2022
H.R. 7106 - Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education & Workforce Training Act, To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a fund to provide support services for individuals participating in certain training activities
Sponsor: Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA-05) referred to Education & Labor Committee
Date Introduced: March 16, 2022
H.R. 7108, To suspend normal trade relations treatment for the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus
Sponsor: Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA-01) referred to Ways & Means Committee; Foreign Affairs Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
H.R. 7139, To codify Executive Order 13949
Sponsor: Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11) referred to Foreign Affairs Committee; Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
H.R. 7175, To require disclosure of asbestos hazards in the sale and lease of residential dwellings
Sponsor: Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA-35) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee; Financial Services Committee
Date Introduced: March 18, 2022
News
Politico: 9 WTO Countries Join the European Union, G-7 to Lift Russia's Trade Privileges
On Tuesday, March 15th, Australia, South Korea, Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, and North Macedonia are joining the European Union and the G-7 (which includes France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom) to suspend the Russian Federation's "most-favored-nation" treatment
Immigration & Detention
The latest from the House and Senate Committee on immigration, detention, homeland security, border security, asylum seekers, criminal justice reform, Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), U.S. Marshal Service (USMS), alternatives to detention programming, reentry programming, or Bureau of Prisons.
Legislation
H.R. 7056 - Visa Transparency Anti-Trafficking Act, To amend section 214(c)(8) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to modify the data reporting requirements relating to nonimmigrant employees,
Sponsor: Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL-21) referred to Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: March 11, 2022
H.R. 7059 - No Alternatives to Detention for Illegals Act, To prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from enacting certain alternative to detention programs for aliens
Sponsor: Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA-50) referred to Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: March 11, 2022
News
WPIX: New York State May Soon Allow Inmates to Work for Private Companies Again
In Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed budget, she included a "jails to jobs" plan, which would allow incarcerated New Yorkers to work for private companies. The jobs would be voluntary and wages would be competitive, according to the Governor's Office. In 1894, the State of New York banned the use of inmate labor for private gain. Governor Hochul is now pushing to change the New York State constitution as part of the ongoing state budget negotiations.
Public Health & Safety
The latest from House and Senate committees on health insurance, COVID-19 and testing, gun safety, Medicare & Medicaid, telehealth, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), CDC, FDA, or rural hospitals.
Legislation
H.R. 7097, To facilitate the provision of telehealth services through interstate recognition of health care professionals' licenses
Sponsor: Rep. Madison Cawthorne (R-NC-11) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: March 16, 2022
H.R. 7121, To require the Secretary of Health & Human Services to maintain a list of the country of origin of all drugs marketed in the United States, to ban the use of Federal funds for the purchase of drugs manufactured in the People's Republic of China
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI-08) referred to Ways & Means Committee; Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
H.R. 7127, To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act to prohibit the Secretary from enforcing any drug or vaccine mandate
Sponsor: Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO-04) referred to Education & Labor Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
News
Reuters: FDA Advisers to Discuss A 2nd COVID-19 Booster in April
On March 21, the Food & Drug Administration announced that the Vaccines & Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will meet on April 6th to discuss consideration for use of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses. This follows applications by Pfizer and Moderna both request authorization for a second booster shot.
Finance & Federal Partnerships
The latest from House and Senate committees on taxation, retirement, small business, federal contracting, or monetary policy.
Legislation
H.R. 7133, To amend the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require certain lobbyists to report certain contacts with agencies within 48 hours
Sponsor: Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ-01) referred to Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: March 15, 2022
H.R. 7146, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts for certain emergency expenses
Sponsor: Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-02) referred to Ways & Means Committee
Date Introduced: March 17, 2022
Notices of Funding Opportunities
Rural Utilities Grants: 313A Program
From March 14th until May 13, 2022, the Rural Utilities Service ("RUS") is accepting application, under the Guarantees for Bonds & Notes Issued for Utility Infrastructure Purposes Program for FY2022. In previous years, RUS has received $750 million and has a pro-rata share of that amount pursuant to the most recent continuing resolution. Applicants can apply either via the mail to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, Electric Program, ATTN: Amy McWilliams, Program Advisor, Electric Program, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-1560 or email their applications, and accompanying documents, at amy.mcwilliams@usda.gov. The docket number is RUS-22-ELECTRIC-0001.
Special Reports
The latest from reports issued from the Office of Government Accountability, the Congressional Research Service, and others.
GAO: March 17, 2022 - Emergency Relief Funds: Significant Improvements Are Needed to Ensure Transparency & Accountability for COVID-19 and Beyond
GAO: March 15, 2022 - Trends Affecting Government & Society
CRS: March 18, 2022 - Invasion of Ukraine: Russia's Trade Statuts, Tariffs, & WTO Issues
CRS: March 16, 2022 - Critical Infrastructure Security & Resilience: Countering Russian and Other Nation-State Cyber Threats
CRS: March 15, 2022 - Methane Emissions
CRS: March 14, 2022 - Vehicle Fuel Economy & Greenhouse Gas Standards
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