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June 14, 2021
From June 7 to 11, Congress introduced several bills related to ocean and coastal issues as part of Capitol Hill Oceans Week (CHOW). H.R.3764 would advance ocean-based climate solutions, make coastal communities more resilient, and conserve and restore ocean and coastal habitats, biodiversity, and marine populations. H.R.3817 also aims to improve coastal resilience by allowing states to participate in regional ocean partnerships. Finally, H.R.3748 would improve data collection and monitoring of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts.
Other notable bills include:
Here’s what else happened in Congress:
June 11, 2021
Senate
The Senate was not in session and stands adjourned until 3 p.m., on Monday, June 14, 2021.
House
Latest Committee Action
H.R.3813
To amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to provide for legal reform, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cheney, Liz [R-WY-At Large] (Introduced 06/11/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Judiciary
Latest Action: House - 06/11/2021 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee…
H.R.3814
To amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to impose time limits on the completion of certain required actions under the Act, and for other purposes.
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Judiciary; Transportation and Infrastructure; Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House - 06/11/2021 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such...
H.R.3817
To allow coastal States to participate in regional ocean partnerships with one or more other coastal States that share a common ocean or coastal area with the coastal State to conserve living resources, expand and protect valuable habitats, enhance coastal resilience, and address such other issues related to the shared ocean or coastal area as are determined to be a shared, regional priority by those States.
Sponsor: Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13] (Introduced 06/11/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
Latest Action: House - 06/11/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Committee Meetings
BUILDING CLIMATE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
Select Committee on the Climate Crisis: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Building Climate Resilient Communities''. Testimony was heard from Eric Garcetti, Mayor, Los Angeles, California; Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor, Madison, Wisconsin; Keisha Lance Bottoms, Mayor, Atlanta, Georgia; and a public witness.
June 10, 2021
S.2023
A bill to provide loan forgiveness for certain borrowers of Department of Agriculture direct farm loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY] (Introduced 06/10/2021) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: Senate - Finance
Latest Action: Senate - 06/10/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Committee Hearings
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Full Committee held a markup on H.J. Res. 34, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to ``Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources Review''; H.R. 2928, the ``Cyber Sense Act of 2021''; H.R. 2931, the ``Enhancing Grid Security through Public-Private Partnerships Act''; H.R. 3078, the ``Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act''; H.R. 3119, the ``Energy Emergency Leadership Act''; and H.R. 2668, the ``Consumer Protection and Recovery Act''. H.J. Res. 34, H.R. 2928, H.R. 2931, H.R. 3078, and H.R. 3119 were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 2668 was ordered reported, as amended.
June 9, 2021
APPROPRIATIONS: EPA
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2022 for the Environmental Protection Agency, after receiving testimony from Michael S. Regan, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
House of Representatives
H.R.1915
Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (Introduced 03/16/2021) Cosponsors: (61)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 06/09/2021 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 42 - 25.
H.R.3751
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a program to make grants to eligible entities to increase the resilience of publicly owned treatment works to natural disasters, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: House - 06/09/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
H.R.3764 To direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide for ocean-based climate solutions to reduce carbon emissions and global warming; to make coastal communities more resilient; and to provide for the conservation and restoration of ocean and coastal habitats, biodiversity, and marine mammal and fish populations; and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ-3] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (26)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology; House Administration; Ways and Means; Transportation and Infrastructure; Foreign Affairs; Armed Services
Latest Action: House - 06/09/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
June 8, 2021
S.1969
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles.
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: Senate - 06/08/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
S.1980
A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to track the distribution of all farm subsidies by race, gender, and size of the farm operation and to make that information about farm subsidies available to the public, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Latest Action: Senate - 06/08/2021 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
H.R.3745
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a decentralized wastewater grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R.3748
To improve data collection and monitoring of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the…
H.R.3764
To direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide for ocean-based climate solutions to reduce carbon emissions and global warming; to make coastal communities more resilient; and to provide for the conservation and restoration of ocean and coastal habitats, biodiversity, and marine mammal and fish populations; and for other purposes.
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, House Administration, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently...
H.R.3780
To designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in the State of Utah for the benefit of present and future generations of people in the United States.
Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (58)
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R.3782
To provide loan forgiveness for certain borrowers of Department of Agriculture direct farm loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Sean Patrick [D-NY-18] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House - Agriculture; Ways and Means
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H.R.3790
To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to guarantee investments that will open new markets for forest owners in rural areas of the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
H.R.3794
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to track the distribution of all farm subsidies by race, gender, and size of the farm operation and to make such information about farm subsidies available to the public.
Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Agriculture; Financial Services
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
H.R.3796
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles.
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Ways and Means
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
H.Res.465
Recognizing World Oceans Day and the necessity to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its resources.
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (Introduced 06/08/2021) Cosponsors: (9)
Latest Action: House - 06/08/2021 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the...
EXAMINING CLIMATE CHANGE: A THREAT TO THE HOMELAND
Committee on Homeland Security: Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery held a hearing entitled ``Examining Climate Change: A Threat to the Homeland''. Testimony was heard from Curtis Brown, State Coordinator, Department of Emergency Management, Virginia; and public witnesses.
DDT DUMPING OFF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST: ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS, SCIENTIFIC NEEDS, AND NEXT STEPS
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a hearing entitled ``DDT Dumping Off the Southern California Coast: Ecological Impacts, Scientific Needs, and Next Steps''. Testimony was heard from Jared Blumenfeld, Secretary for Environmental Protection, California Environmental Protection Agency; Michael Parmer, Assistant City Manager, Avalon, California; and public witnesses.
June 7, 2021
S.1960
A bill to restrict the ability of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to adjust the rates for flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] (Introduced 06/07/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
H.R.2477
Urban Forests Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11] (Introduced 04/13/2021) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: House - Agriculture; Education and Labor
Latest Action: House - 06/07/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
H.R.3687
Environmental Justice in Recreation Permitting Act
Sponsor: Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-13] (Introduced 06/04/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 06/07/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
H.R.3113
To require the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to digitize and make publicly available geographic information system mapping data relating to public access to Federal land and waters for outdoor recreation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1] (Introduced 05/11/2021) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture; Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 06/07/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
H.R.3691
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a smart wastewater infrastructure technology grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bourdeaux, Carolyn [D-GA-7] (Introduced 06/04/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 06/07/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
H.R.3700
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize grants for technical assistance to rural, small, and tribal municipalities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19] (Introduced 06/04/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R.3701
To establish water infrastructure grant programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19] (Introduced 06/04/2021) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Energy and Commerce
H.R.3731
To assist communities affected by stranded nuclear waste, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10] (Introduced 06/04/2021) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Financial Services; Ways and Means
Latest Action: House - 06/07/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
H.R.3734
To amend title 23, United States Code, to increase the Federal share payable for certain projects in environmental justice communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (Introduced 06/04/2021) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: House - 06/07/2021 Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
DEFINING A NATIONAL `OCEANSHOT': ACCELERATING OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Environment held a hearing entitled ``Defining a National `Oceanshot': Accelerating Ocean and Great Lakes Science and Technology''. Testimony was heard from Craig McLean, Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and Acting Chief Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
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