Washington Weekly - September 14

This Week:

The House and Senate are in session. 

Federal:

Congress:  With the House and Senate back in, both chambers have their work cut out for them with very few legislative days left.  With the fiscal year ending on September 30^th, critical legislation needs to be passed.  This includes the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the FAA Reauthorization, the Farm Bill, and if a budget or continuing resolution isn’t passed, the government will shut down on October 1^st. 

Two things to watch – first, on Tuesday morning, Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced that the House will move forward with an impeachment inquiry into President Biden.  While it is not clear that there are 218 votes to move forward with an impeachment, this could be a way for the Speaker to appease conservatives in his caucus that are holding firm against supporting a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown, although the two issues are likely independent. Second, this opposition from the Speaker’s right flank is increasing speculation that they may try to file a motion to vacate the chair (read: removing Kevin McCarthy from the Speakership).  If there is one thing Washington has learned in this Congress, don’t bet against Kevin McCarthy.  Stay tuned.

ASA Federal Action:

NOTE: ASA VP of Advocacy Steve Rossi is on the Hill this week, having meetings with offices in both chambers to champion ASA’s position on consumer choice, clean water initiatives and small business tax issues.  More to come in the next Washington Weekly.

Congress: ASA (along with other industry organizations) to House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry (R-NC) in support of the Protecting Small Business Information Act that would delay implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act, which would increase the level of compliance for small businesses with revenues under $5 million to share personal information about their owners and leadership.  Failure to comply would be punished with hefty fines and possible prison terms. 

FEMA: ASA joined its coalition partners in filing a joint comment letter to encourage the adoption of resilient and hazard resistant building codes.  

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:

President Biden Job Approval (RCP Average): 42% Approve – 55% Disapprove.

Generic Congressional Ballot (RCP Average): Republicans 0.6%. 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 - General: 11/7/2023).  Republican: UT-2 - General: 11/21/2023. Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-2) will resign on September 15, 2023.