Washington Weekly - February 22

2023 ASA Washington Legislative Fly-In:

REGISTER NOW: Help our industry have a voice and register here for the ASA Legislative Fly-In, taking place March 28-29, 2023, in Washington, DC.

This Week:

The House and Senate are in recess.

Federal:

Energy: Work continues on an energy (security) bill in the House.  Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) recently met with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) about the inclusion of permitting measures and other priorities.  This bill should be introduced by the end of March. 

Major Bills: In addition to standard legislative fare, Congress will need to address key legislation that will be up for renewal.  This includes the well-publicized debt ceiling increase (likely by the end of July), the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a new farm bill, FAA reauthorization, and tax extenders from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.  Many of these must pass bills could get slowed down even further with slim partisan margins.  Stay tuned. 

ASA Advocacy Action:

HUD/FEMA Recovery Building Codes:  This week, ASA signed a coalition letter to Congressional leadership urging them (at a minimum) to ensure that future federal infrastructure investments adhere to current building codes and standards.

State Water Standards in Schools: As part of an ongoing campaign to ensure proper standards at the state level, ASA joined its coalition partners in encouraging state legislators to include third party certification, as well as industry and EPA standards, in the following bills addressing lead levels in schools and daycares: Indiana HB 1138, Texas HB 1123, Massachusetts SB 696/HD 3392.

Politics:                                                                              

Presidential Candidate Watch:  After former UN Ambassador and Nikki Haley (R-SC) made waves with her announcement for President, some of her Republican colleagues appear to have accelerated their plans.  Fellow South Carolinian Sen. Tim Scott (R) began his listening tour as a prelude to an announcement and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was on the road this week giving speeches to law enforcement in suburban Chicago and Philadelphia, as well as in New York City.  After providing a boost to his legacy with a visit to Kyiv and a speech in Warsaw, rumors swirled that President Biden may not seek another term.  Govs. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), JB Pritzker (D-IL), and Phil Murphy (D-NJ) are all quietly waiting in the wings.  California: Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) made her long-speculated entrance into the race.  Currently, the list of declared candidates includes Rep. Katie Porter (D) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D).   Montana: Sen Jon Tester (D-MT) announced that he will seek re-election in 2024.  His seat is a prime target for Senate Republicans, in a state that former President Donald Trump won by 16 points in 2020.  Virginia: On Tuesday, Democrat Jennifer McClellan won the special election in the vacant Richmond-area district, to succeed the late-Rep. Donald McEachin.  She is the first Black woman elected to Congress in Virginia.

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 44% Approve – 52% Disapprove. The House currently has a composition of 222 Republicans to 213 Democrats. The Senate is comprised of 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans.