The next edition of the APWA Washington Report will publish April 13 due to the House and Senate state/district work period, March 30 – April 10. This is a great opportunity to contact your U.S. Representative and Senators to share your community’s latest public works news, whether that’s attending a townhall, stopping by their district office and introducing yourself, or sending an email. Government Affairs has many resources for you on our APWA website under U.S. Government Affairs.
If you need assistance finding information, contact APWA Director of Government and Public Affairs Andrea Eales at aeales@apwa.org. Follow APWA Government Affairs on X and LinkedIn for timely updates.
March 23, 2026
Latest News
APWA Public Policy Survey Closes April 1
- What should be APWA’s public policy priorities for the next Congress?;
- Share your vision in our new survey;
- The public policy priority documents are APWA’s advocacy roadmap for working with Congress and federal agencies on key legislation and regulations impacting public works;
- APWA’s current policy priorities are Emergency Management, Transportation, and Water Resiliency;
- Contact Andrea at aeales@apwa.org with questions.
U.S. Senate Passes WIPPES Act
- The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act (WIPPES) won unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate over the weekend;
- APWA is a longtime supporter of this legislation, S. 1092, as it seeks to protect our wastewater infrastructure;
- In the previous Congress, APWA actively promoted the WIPPES Act and strongly advocated for its passage, along with public and private sector partners, and industry;
- We supported proposed changes to packaging and labeling to inform consumers and help prevent damage to our wastewater systems by making sure non-flushable wipes are accurately labeled;
- The bill now goes to the House, which passed WIPPES legislation in the previous Congress.
U.S. Senate Vote Expected on DHS Secretary Nomination
- The U.S. Senate is expected to vote, as soon as today, on the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin (OK) to serve as the next Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary;
- Last week, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the nomination;
- Current DHS Secretary Krisit Noem will leave the position March 31.
White House Releases National Policy AI Recommendations
- The White House has released a National Policy Artificial Intelligence (AI) framework, which offers the Trump administration’s recommendations to navigate AI challenges;
- This includes calling on Congress to preempt state laws that regulate the way models are developed, or that may penalize companies for how their AI is utilized by outside parties.
FEMA Announces BRIC Grant Program Update
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued an update on the status of the Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) grant program;
- BRIC applicants and recipients are to contact their respective FEMA regional offices with questions.
FEMA Announces Millions for FIFA World Cup 2026 Security
- FEMA has announced that $625M has been awarded for the 11 cities hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches to enhance security preparations ahead of the tournament;
- Funding ranges from $32.3M for Seattle to $73.7M for Miami;
- This money, which is available via the FIFA World Cup Grant Program allows state and local officials to hold operational exercises and strengthen cybersecurity defenses.
Reminder to FIFA Host Cities–Check out Available FTA Resources
- The Federal Transit Admin. (FTA) has announced other resources to support transit in cities hosting FIFA World Cup events;
- Resources include:
- Press Release
- 2026 World Cup Public Transportation Funding
- FTA World Cup Funding Grant-Making toolkit
- March 11 webinar.
CISA Issues Advisory following Recent Cyberattack Against U.S. Organization
- Following a recent cyberattack against a United States-based company, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released an advisory urging endpoint management system hardening;
- The Stryker Corporation was hit by a cyberattack, March 11, prompting CISA to advise organizations to implement Microsoft’s newly released best practices for securing Microsoft Intune.
APWA Government Affairs Presenting at Iowa Chapter Spring Conference
- APWA Sr. Government Affairs Manager Marty Williams and Government Affairs Manager Leah Harnish will be presenting during the 2026 Iowa Chapter Spring Conference at the Iowa Event Center in Des Moines, March 25-27;
- If your chapter is interested in having Government Affairs participate in your chapter’s upcoming event, contact Andrea at aeales@apwa.org.
On the Horizon
(All times ET)
- March 25 at 10 a.m., the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing, Funding Lapse and Security Gaps-Assessing the Harmful Impacts of the DHS Shutdown on Americans;
- March 26 at 10 a.m., the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hold a legislative hearing on multiple bills related to water quality;
- March 26 at 10:15 a.m., the House Energy and Commerce committee has a hearing, The Telecommunications Act of 1996: 30 Years Later;
- March 26 at 2 p.m., the House Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing, Mitigation and Multiple Loss Properties: Factors Influencing the High Cost of Flooding.
Explore APWA’s Member Advocacy Tools:
