Thursday, August 24, 2023 / News Washington Weekly - August 24 This Week: The House and Senate are in recess and will return on September 5th. Federal: 39 Days: At this writing there are 39 days until the end of the fiscal year for the federal government. As previously mentioned, should a budget not be in place or if a continuing resolution (CR) not passed, a shutdown of the federal government would occur because it will not have any spending authority. Last week, things seemed to be looking up as Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) appeared to agree on passing a short-term CR to allow appropriators to continue their work. The challenge would be to selling Republicans and Democrats in both chambers on the deal. Line in the sand: On Monday, that challenge became real. The House Freedom Caucus, made up of conservative GOP members, announced that they would oppose any CR unless leadership agrees to their requirements of passing the stalled border bill in the Senate, the end of COVID-era spending, the opposition to any “blank check” spending on aid for Ukraine, address the weaponization of the Justice Department, and ending liberal social policies at the Department of Defense. In addition, the caucus remains opposed to any omnibus spending bill, which the Speaker has also opposed. A CR could go anywhere from two weeks to two months. Negotiations are underway. 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: Nevada: The contest for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District just added another competitor. Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama (R-Las Vegas) announced her candidacy on Monday to challenge Democratic incumbent Susie Lee. The Clark County district is a D+1 swing seat this cycle with both parties targeting resources. Two Republicans, former State Senator Elizabeth Helgelien and candidate Drew Johnson have already entered the race. Virginia: Speculation is growing that Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger will not seek re-election to her northern Virginia seat in 2024 and run to succeed Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2025. This would complicate Democrats ability to hold the swing seat, which the moderate Spanberger was able to do. President Biden won the district by 7 points in 2020, but Governor Youngkin won it by 5 points just a year later. Republicans will be encouraged by Rep. Spanberger’s departure and will look to take the historically Republican-held seat that was represented by GOP Rep. David Brat until his 2-point defeat by Spanberger in 2018. President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 41% Approve – 54% Disapprove. Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Democrats +0.2%. 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. Print