Washington Weekly - August 10

This Week:

The House and Senate are in recess and will return on September 5^th.    

Federal:

Department of Energy:

Inflation Reduction Act Rebates:  The Department of Energy has begun accepting state applications for funding of rebate programs included in last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, almost a year after it was signed into law.  The funding will be split into two parts – the home efficiency rebate program and the residential electrification program – and states will have to apply for each, submitting a plan for DOE review on how they will implement the programs in their respective states.  Keep in mind that not all states will participate (Gov. Ron DeSantis has already announced that Florida will not be involved).  The DOE announcement can be found here.

Water Heater NOPR: Department of Energy issued a Notice of Proposed Rule (NOPR) on Consumer Water Heaters – news release can be found here. ASA is working with its industry partners to decipher the almost 1,700 pages of the proposed rule that would take effect on January 1, 2029.  If you have any questions or comments, please contact ASA VP of Advocacy at srossi@asa.net.    

Politics:

House:  Pennsylvania:  State Representative Ryan Mackenzie and former Air National Guard officer Kevin Dellicker are facing off in the Republican primary to challenge incumbent Democratic Rep. Susan Wild. The Allentown-area district is rated an R+2 according to the Cook Report PVI.  This means the district will be a key priority for the NRCC in 2024 and one to watch.  Rhode Island:  In what will be the next special election in 2023, the Democratic primary to succeed retired Rep. David Cicilline is well underway in this deep blue district.  Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, former Biden White House aide Gabe Amo, and former State Representative Aaron Regunberg are all locked in an intense campaign, with some of the petition signatures of the Matos campaign being thrown out after allegations of forgery.  One to watch.  Senate: Arizona: In one of the closely watched Senate races in the 2024 cycle, a new Emerson College poll shows Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego tied with Republican Mark Lamb, the current Pinal County Sheriff, in a head-to-head matchup at 42%.  When incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is added (she has not yet announced her re-election campaign), the numbers shift to Gallego (36%), Lamb (29%), Sinema (21%), and about 15% undecided.  The poll is worth mentioning since it was thought that Sen. Sinema would pull support from the Democrat and not the Republican.  This race is far from decided and 2022 GOP Gubernatorial Nominee Kari Lake may still seek the nomination.   Nevada: The Republican primary field for the Senate seat currently held by Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen has a new entrant.  Retired USAF Lt. Col. Tony Grady announced his candidacy on Tuesday.  This follows the announcement on Monday, by former Ambassador to Iceland Jeff Gunter, that he will be seeking the nomination.  Both join already announced candidates Sam Brown, who lost the 2022 Senate nomination to Adam Laxalt, and former state legislator and 2022 GOP nominee for Secretary of State Jim Marchant. 

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 41% Approve – 54% Disapprove.

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Republicans +0.5%. The House currently has a composition of 222 Republicans to 212 Democrats. The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans. Special Elections: Democratic: (RI-1 Primary: 9/5/2023; General: 11/7/2023).  Republican: (UT-2 Primary: 9/5/2023; General: 11/21/2023). Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2) will resign on September 15, 2023.