Washington Report – February 24, 2025

APWA joined dozens of partner organizations in sending a letter to Congressional appropriators and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supporting $3.25B in Congressionally authorized funding levels into each of the Clean Water and Drinking Water state revolving funds (SRFs) in fiscal years 2025 and 2026;
“Fully funding the SRFs will expand access to affordable financing for infrastructure that provides safe drinking water, suitable recycled water, wastewater services and stormwater management in thousands of communities around the nation every year. Adequate federal funding for this basic public health infrastructure is needed to reduce the risk of preventable diseases from poor water quality and water scarcity for millions of Americans,” the letters read.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released an Interim Final Rule on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA);
This rule has not been published in the Federal Register so a deadline for comments has not been set, but comments will be due 45-days after the Rule is officially published;
Being issued in compliance with President Trump’s executive order, Unleashing American Energy, the Rule seeks to move overall responsibility for environmental procedures to be followed to individual agencies when conducting environmental reviews and determining significant action in compliance with NEPA;
The Interim Rule sets up a working group to advise agencies, and states the agencies’ procedures must be updated in the coming year;
Additionally, if implemented, the Rule will make optional whether agencies consider environmental justice and cumulative impacts be considered in a NEPA review;
APWA Government Affairs will continue to track this rule.

The following is an update on Senate confirmations for nominees put forward by President Trump;
Confirmed:
- Dept. Of Transportation — Sean Duffy
- Dept. Of Homeland Security — Kristi Noem
- Dept. Of Agriculture — Brooke Rollins
- Dept. Of Interior — Doug Burgum
- Dept. Of Commerce — Howard Lutnick
- Dept. Of Health and Human Services — Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
- Dept. Of Energy — Chris Wright
- Dept. Of Housing and Urban Development — Scott Turner
- Dept. Of State — Marco Rubio
- EPA — Lee Zeldin
- Dept. Of Treasury — Scott Bessent
- Small Business Administration — Kelly Loeffler
- Dept. Of Defense — Pete Hegseth
- Office of Management and Budget — Russ Vought
- Attorney General — Pam Bondi
Still to be confirmed:
- Dept. Of Education — Linda McMahon
- Dept. Of Labor — Lori Chavez-DeRemer
- U.S. Trade Representative — Jamieson Greer

The nominee to become U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, who served as Small Business Administrator in President Trump’s first term, received a favorable vote in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Feb. 20;
Her nomination moves to the full Senate, when all 100 senators will vote yay or nay;
Though there has been discussion about the role of the Department of Education, APWA has a working relationship with the agency as it plays a role in workforce development;
APWA will continue to track this, and other nominations, relevant to workforce development and APWA’s Public Policy Priorities.

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Howard Lutnick as the next Department of Commerce Secretary;
As Secretary, Lutnick will oversee agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Weather Service, and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that those seeking assistance because of damage from the California Wildfires now have until March 10 to submit requests;
The fastest way to apply is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

FEMA has announced it will use its borrowing authority under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to borrow $2B from the U.S. Treasury to cover National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholder claims;
This action follows the more than $10B in potential payments related to the impact of hurricanes Helene and Milton;
According to FEMA, more than 57,400 flood insurance claims totaling more than $4.5B as of Feb. 6 have been received for Hurricane Helene assistance;
Additionally, based on data as of Jan. 31, FEMA estimates the potential total losses paid into the NFIP are likely to fall between $6.4B to $7.4B.

APWA’s collaboration with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is continuing its mission to bring great examples of infrastructure to a wider audience;
The Engineering & Public Works Roadshow showcased Miami’s Signature Bridge, Feb. 14, and the following week held a Roadshow “fair” for U.S. House staff;
APWA Region IV Director Robert Garland spoke on behalf of APWA during the Florida event;
APWA Government Affairs staff Jeff Finegan and Mark Shade represented the association during the Feb. 19 event on Capitol Hill;
Have a great infrastructure project the Roadshow should highlight? Email Mark at mshade@apwa.org.

Thanks to your engagement, we have sent nearly 500 emails to Capitol Hill to welcome the new Congress to the 119th session;
If you have not yet done so, take 1-2 minutes and follow the link to send a pre-generated welcome email introducing yourself and APWA;
These advocacy alerts are critical in raising awareness of APWA, public works, and the vital role public works professionals play in our nation’s communities;
Click here to send your message;
Additionally, text PWX to 52886 to opt-in to receive these alerts by text. Small step, big impact!

(All times ET)

Feb. 25 at 10 a.m., House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials will hold a hearing, Promoting and Improving Safety and Efficient Pipeline Infrastructure;
Feb. 25 at 10 a.m., House Committee on Appropriations Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing, State of the Civil Works Program;
Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m., the House Government and Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs will hold a hearing, Leading the Charge: Opportunities to Strengthen America’s Energy Reliability;
Feb. 26 at 10 a.m., Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) implementation;
Feb. 26 at 10:15 a.m., the House Education and Workforce Committee will hold a hearing on “Unleashing America’s Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy.” Watch here;
Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m., the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing, Examining the Biden Administration’s Energy and Environment Spending Push.