The Latest: A Weekly Federal Update (05/09/22)
Upcoming Events & Activities
May 9th, 2021 - May 13th, 2022
All events in Eastern Standard Time
Monday, May 9th
No events to report.
Tuesday, May 10th
1:00 PM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the Department of Transportation"
Wednesday, May 11th
10:00 AM - Senate Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "A Review of the FY2023 President's Budget for the Indian Health Service"
10:00 AM - Senate Environment & Public Works Committee: Hearing titled, "Oversight of the Council on Environmental Quality: A Year in Review"
2:00 PM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the U.S. Customs & Border Protection"
2:00 PM - Senate Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "A Review of the President's FY2023 Funding Request for the Department of Commerce"
2:30 PM - Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee: Hearing titled, "Resources & Authorities Needed to Protect & Secure the Homeland"
Thursday, May 12th
9:30 AM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the DoC"
10:00 AM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "Healthy Aging: Maximizing the Independence, Well-being, and Health of Older Adults"
10:00 AM - House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee: Hearing titled, "Board Member Views on Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization"
10:15 AM - Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee: Hearing titled, "Pathways to Procurement Innovation"
2:30 PM - House Appropriations Committee: Hearing titled, "FY2023 Budget Request for the DoE Science & Energy Programs"
Friday, May 13th
No events to report.
Energy, Water & Environment
The latest from the House and Senate Committees on energy (infrastructure), WIFIA, wastewater management, environmental issues, interior, or environmental justice.
Legislation
H.R. 7688, To protect consumers from price-gouging of consumer fuels
Sponsor: Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee Date Introduced: May 6, 2022
H.R. 7612 - Stop NEPA Expansion Act, To codify certain regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Sponsor: Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK-02) referred to Natural Resources Committee
Date Introduced: May 3, 2022
News
The Hill: DoE Sec. Granholm Voices 'Deep Concern' About Tariff Impact on US Solar Goals
On Thursday, April 28th, Energy Secretary Granholm said she shares "deep concern" about the impact of potential solar energy tariffs on U.S. renewable energy goals before a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing on her requested FY2023 budget. Secretary Granholm warned that longer the U.S. Department of Commerce's solar manufacturing probe lingers could disrupt the Biden administration's goal of decarbonizing America's electricity grid by 2035 and destroy America's budding solar energy industry if the probe goes on even just for several months.
Transportation & Infrastructure
The latest from the House and Senate Committees on industrial and commercial mechanical insulation, cybersecurity, supply chains, port authority, metropolitan transit, or airports.
Legislation
H.R. 7664 - Supporting Small Business and Career & Technical Education Act, To Include requirements relating to graduates of career and technical education programs or programs of study for small business development centers and women's business centers
Sponsor: Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX-25) referred to Small Business Administration Committee
Date Introduced: May 3, 2022
H.R. 7651 - Manufactured Housing Affordability & Energy Efficiency Act, To clarify the process and standards for rulemaking establishing standards for energy efficiency in manufactured housing
Sponsor: Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN-08) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: May 3, 2022
News
NextGov: DoT Proposes $1M Fine for Colonial Pipeline One Year After Hack
On Thursday, May 5th, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration announced in a proposed compliance order fining Colonial $986,400 for multiple violations of federal pipeline safety regulations. Colonial has 30 days to submit written comments, or request a hearing under 49 C.F.R. § 190.211. DoT also proposed an additional $140,700 in fines for small infractions. During the cyber attack, which has been accredited to Russian hackers, Colonial was forced to shut down a major pipeline for the East Coast and regaining control of its system by paying a $4.4 million ransom.
Immigration & Detention
The latest from the House and Senate Committee on immigration, detention, homeland security, border security, asylum seekers, criminal justice reform, Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), U.S. Marshal Service (USMS), alternatives to detention programming, reentry programming, or Bureau of Prisons.
Legislation
H.R. 7626, To direct the Attorney-General to establish a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of body-worn camera continuous training programs
Sponsor: Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI-14) referred to Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: April 28th, 2022
H.R. 7595, To establish the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within the Department of Homeland Security
Sponsor: Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI-01) referred to Judiciary Committee
Date Introduced: April 27, 2022
News
Politico: Biden Admin Extends Window for Expired Work Permits Amig Backlog
On May 3rd, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services announced that hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers will be able to continue to use their existing work permits for nearly 18 months after they expire. The reprieve is scheduled to go into effect Wednesday as a Temporary Final Rule and comes as the agency seeks to address a backlog of roughly 1.5 million work-permit applications. The rule had been in the works for months as officials looked for ways to combat the risk of workforce shortages. Work permits are available to millions of people across the constellation of immigration programs. That list includes spouses of H-1B visa recipients, green card and asylum applicants, and those granted Temporary Protected Status.
Public Health & Safety
The latest from House and Senate committees on health insurance, COVID-19 and testing, gun safety, Medicare & Medicaid, telehealth, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), CDC, FDA, or rural hospitals.
Legislation
H.R. 7681, To reauthorize certain programs to reduce opioid overdose deaths
Sponsor: Rep. French Hill (R-AR-02) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: May 6, 2022
H.R. 7667 - Food & Drug Amendments of 2022, To revise and extend the user-fee programs for prescription drugs, medical devices, generic drugs, and biosimilar products
Sponsor: Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: May 6, 2022
H.R. 7646 - Emerging Signals Modernization Act, notify the public about an emerging signal concerning a medical device in order to reduce or limit the number of patients exposed to a potential risk identified based on such emerging signal
Sponsor: Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: May 3, 2022
News
CBS News: FDA Limits J&J COVID-19 Vaccine Authorization Over Blood Clot Risk
On May 6th, the Food & Drug Administration announced changes to the authorized use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine due to the risk of developing thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS, within two weeks of receiving the vaccine. Going forward, only adults, who cannot access other federally authorized vaccines and who would not otherize get vaccinated unless they receive that particular vaccine, can receive the J&J vaccine. As of May 6th, 18.7 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the United States, roughly 3% of the nearly 578 million total vaccine doses received across the country.
Finance & Federal Partnerships
The latest from House and Senate committees on taxation, retirement, small business, federal contracting, or monetary policy.
Legislation
H.R. 7658, To reauthorize the Critical Path Public-Private Partnerships
Sponsor: Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ-01) referred to Energy & Commerce Committee
Date Introduced: May 3, 2022
H.R. 7652, To guarantee the right of individuals to receive Social Security benefits under title II of the Social Security Act in full with an accurate annual cost-of-living adjustment
Sponsor: Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV-02) referred to Ways & Means Committee
Date Introduced: May 3, 2022
Notices of Funding Opportunities
Aviation Grants: Airport Improvement Program
The Federal Aviation Administration is accepting applications for approximately $1.5 billion in FY2022 discretionary grants from April 20th until June 30th. For further information, contact David Cushing, Manager, Airports Financial Assistance Division, APP-500, at (202)267-8827. Eligible projects include those improvements related to enhancing airport safety, capacity, security, and environmental concerns.
Aviation Grants: FAA Contract Tower (FCT) Competitive Grant Program (via IIJA)
The Federal Aviation Administration is accepting applications for approximately $20 million in FY2022 Airport Infrastructure Grant funds from April 20th until May 16th. For further information, contact Robin Hunt, BIL Implementation Team, FAA Office of Airports, at (202)267-3263, or at
9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov. The purpose of the FCT Competitive Grant Program is to make annual grants available to eligible airports for airport-owned airport traffic control tower (ATCT) projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation's airports.
Waterways Grants: America's Marine Highway Program
Due to additional funding made under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, the Maritime Administration (DoT) has announced the availability of additional funding for grants for the development and expansion of documented vessels or port and landslide infrastructure or also will strengthen American supply chains. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM EDT on June 17th, 2022 using Grants.gov. For assistance, contact Fred Jones (Office of Ports & Waterways Planning, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation) at (202)366-1123 or email at Fred.Jones@dot.gov.
Special Reports
The latest from reports issued from the Office of Government Accountability, the Congressional Research Service, and others.
CRS: May 5, 2022 - U.S. Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing
CRS: May 4, 2022 - Vehicle Fuel Economy & Greenhouse Gas Standards
CRS: May 2, 2022 - Federal Retirement Plans FAQ's
GAO: May 5, 2022 - The Nation's Fiscal Health: Federal Action Critical to Pivot toward Fiscal Sustainability
GAO: May 4, 2022 - Environmental Cleanup: Status of Major DoE Projects & Operations
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