Author: Thornrun

House lawmakers have reconvened to resume consideration of a measure that seeks to address controversial “forever chemicals,” with final passage of the bill and outstanding amendments set for this morning. The legislation, among other things, would: (1) require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances but not the entire class of PFAS chemicals; (2) establish a grant program to award funding to communities with water supplies that have been contaminated; and (3) promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for these chemicals under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Despite bipartisan support for action on these hazardous chemicals, the lower chamber’s bill faces a difficult path forward after the Trump administration issued a veto threat earlier this week. 

Continue reading “Today on the Hill: House to Pass Bill Addressing ‘Forever Chemicals’”

House lawmakers are set to begin consideration of a bill that seeks to address controversial “forever chemicals.” The measure would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances, while also setting up a grant program to award funding to communities with water supplies contaminated by the chemicals. Final passage of the PFAS legislation is expected tomorrow after lawmakers consider 22 amendments to the underlying bill today.  

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The House will convene today as lawmakers eye their first votes of the second session of the 116^th Congress. The lower chamber will consider eight bills under suspension of the rules, including: (1) an Energy and Commerce bill that would require the President to develop a strategy to ensure the security of next general mobile telecommunications systems and infrastructure in the U.S.; (2) a Small Business measure that would require contract officers to consider relevant past performance and subcontractor experience of small businesses looking to compete for federal prime contracts; and (3) Foreign Affairs legislation that seeks to bolster U.S. leadership among international standard-setting bodies for mobile telecommunications systems and infrastructure. Additionally, the House will also consider the rule that will govern debate for a bill that seeks to address controversial “forever chemicals.”

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Senators on the Finance Committee are meeting to consider implementing legislation for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The bill is expected to clear the Committee with bipartisan support later this morning, allowing for a vote in the full chamber at some point this month. While Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) previously stated that the Senate will vote on the USMCA following the impeachment trial, the vote may be expedited if the House continues to hold on to the articles of impeachment.

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Lawmakers are set to begin the second session of the 116th Congress this week, with the Senate returning this afternoon and the House reconvening tomorrow. While Senators await next steps in the impeachment process, the upper chamber is expected to continue working through pending presidential nominations. The Senate will resume consideration of Jovita Carranza's nomination to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration later today.

Continue reading “This Week on the Hill: Lawmakers Kick Off 2020 Work Session”