Washington Report – June 9, 2025

Latest News

Roadshow Stopping in Massachusetts

The Engineering & Public Works Roadshow will visit Worcester, Massachusetts’, newest high school on Tuesday;
Doherty Memorial High School is a $316 million, 425,000-square-foot facility that is dedicated to teaching the next wave of public works and engineering professionals;
In its first school year, the high school offers four career technical education programs, including Construction Craft Laborer and Engineering Technology;
APWA President Dominick Longobardi will emcee the program and APWA Region I Director Rich Benevento will speak, as will others;
This event, the Roadshow’s 20th, begins at 10 a.m., June 10, and may be watched live at the Roadshow’s X account;
The Roadshow is a nearly 3-year collaboration with the American Council of Engineering Companies, ACEC; and the American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE.

U.S. DOT Announces Updated Funding Opportunities for Bridge Projects

Two grant funding programs for bridge projects for FY23-26 have been announced by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy:
- The Bridge Investment Program, Large Bridge Project grants, be sure to use funding opportunity number 693JJ323NF00019 to search in www.grants.gov. Applications are due Aug. 1
- The Competitive Highway Bridge Program, use funding opportunity number 693JJ325NF00010 to search grants.gov. Applications are due Aug. 4
Full details, including eligibility and points of contact, are available in the links provided.

FEMA Releases Updated National Flood Insurance Program Guidelines

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released updated National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) documents;
The revised documentation includes updates to the following:
The updated Flood Insurance Manual will apply to flood insurance policies issued on or after Oct. 1, while the Claims Manual, and the Standard Flood Insurance Policy Commentary will apply to flood insurance claims that occur during the 2025 hurricane season;
These changes will not change flood insurance coverage or supersede the terms and conditions of the Standard Flood Insurance Policy.

FY26 Budget Process Continues

As a follow up to its FY26 budget request, the White House released a supplemental version detailing funding for specific programs;
Important to public works:
- Additional funding and FTEs to expedite NEPA permitting
- A $2B reduction in the Drinking Water and Clean Water revolving funds
- A new grant program to promote cybersecurity in the water sector
- Defunding of the Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (WIFIA)
Congress will now consider these requests as they develop the FY26 budget.

Reminder–Email Your U.S. Representative to Join the House Public Works & Infrastructure Caucus

Take a minute after reading today’s Washington Report to contact your U.S. Representative about the re-established U.S. House Public Works & Infrastructure Caucus;
Based on your zip code, if your U.S. Representative is already a member, a pre-generated email thanking them for joining will be sent; if your Rep. has not yet joined, pre-generated language urging them to join will populate;
Your participation in these action alerts is critical to helping amplify APWA’s voice in Washington, D.C.;
The caucus, originally established in 2016, plays an invaluable role in helping to educate Members of Congress and staff about the importance of public works and infrastructure;
Click here to email lawmaker, then share the link;
Text PWX to 52886 to receive alerts via text message.

On the Horizon

(All times ET)

June 9 at 6 p.m., the House Appropriations Committee Homeland Security Subcommittee will hold a hearing to review the President’s FY26 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS);
June 10 at 10 a.m., the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing to review the President’s FY26 budget request for the Department of Energy;
June 11 at 10 a.m., the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Sean McMaster to be administrator of the Federal Highway Administration;
June 11 at 10 a.m., the House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing to review the President’s FY26 budget request for the Department of Agriculture;
June 11 at 10 a.m., the Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing to review the President’s FY26 budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation;
June 11 at 2:30 p.m., the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee will hold a hearing, Reforms After the Storms – Conducting Oversight of SBA’s Disaster Loan Program;
June 12 at 10 a.m., the House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing to review the President’s FY26 budget request for DHS;
June 12 at 10 a.m., the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the nomination of Sean Plankey to be director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency;
June 12 at 10 a.m., the House Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing to review the President’s FY26 budget request for the Department of the Interior.