Veterans Affairs Flood Preparedness and Other VA Legislation

On Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 10:30 am EST, the Subcommittee on Health will hold a legislative hearing on

  • “H.R. 3520, Veterans Care Improvement Act of 2023;
  • H.R. 1182, Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2023;
  • H.R. 1774, VA Emergency Transportation Act;
  • H.R. 2683, VA Flood Preparedness Act (Rep. Nancy Mace) ;
  • H.R. 2768, PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act;
  • H.R. 2818, Autonomy for Disabled Veterans Act;
  • H.R. 3581, Caregiver Outreach and Program Enhancement (COPE) Act;
  • H.R. 1278, DRIVE Act;
  • H.R. 1639, VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2023; and
  • H.R. 1815, Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act.”

Witnesses:

  • Susie Lee, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.
  • Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.
  • Dr. Colleen Richardson, Executive Director, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 6-21-2023 Witness Biography – Dr. Richardson [PDF 339KB]
  • Jenniffer González-Colón, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.
  • Jennifer Kiggans, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.
  • Julia Brownley, Member of Congress, Washington D.C.
  • Dr. Scotte Hartronft, Executive Director, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Dr. Erica Scavella, Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Clinical Services, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Dr. Mark Hausman, Executive Director, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Cole Lyle, Executive Director, America’s Warrior Partnership
  • Tiffany Ellett, Director, The American Legion National Headquarters
  • Jon Retzer Assistant National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans
House Veterans' Affairs Committee
   Health Subcommittee

06/21/2023 at 10:30AM

Markup of Bills on Rapid Ohia Death, Promoting Lead Poisoning, Rock Climbing, and Blocking BLM Conservation Rule

On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 10:15 a.m., in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Committee on Natural Resources will hold a mark-up on the following bills:

  • H.R. 615 (Rep. Wittman), “Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023” (Amendments to H.R. 615 must be drafted to the amendment in the nature of a substitute, attached to this notice);
  • H.R. 1380 (Rep. Curtis), “Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act”;
  • H.R. 1726 (Rep. Tokuda), “Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023”;
  • H.R. 2872 (Rep. Graves of Louisiana), To amend the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013 to allow States to issue electronic stamps under such Act, and for other purposes;
  • H.R. 3324 (Rep. Huffman), To extend the authority to collect Shasta-Trinity Marina fees through fiscal year 2029; and
  • H.R. 3397 (Rep. Curtis), To require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to conservation and landscape health. (Amendments to H.R. 3397 must be drafted to the amendment in the nature of a substitute, attached to this notice)

REPORT

The Committee on Natural Resources met in open session on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, to consider the following measures. Per Committee Rule 9(f) and House Rule XI, clause 2(e), amendments adopted will be posted within 24 hours, and roll call votes and all other amendments offered will be posted no later than 48 hours after the vote is taken. These documents can be found at docs.house.gov, found here.

H.R. 615 (Rep. Wittman), To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from prohibiting the use of lead ammunition or tackle on certain Federal land or water under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes. “Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023.”

  • The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 615.
  • Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) offered an amendment to Wittman ANS_061, which was designated Grijalva #1 revised. The amendment was not agreed to by a roll call vote of 16 to 20.
  • Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) offered an amendment to Wittman ANS_061, which was designated Dingell #2. The amendment was not agreed to by a roll call vote of 16 to 20.
  • Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 615 designated Wittman ANS_061. The amendment was adopted by a voice vote.
  • H.R. 615, as amended, was ordered reported favorably by a roll call vote of 21 to 15.

H.R. 1380 (Rep. Curtis), To require the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to issue guidance on climbing management in designated wilderness areas, and for other purposes. “Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act.”

  • The Subcommittee on Federal Lands was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1380.
  • Representative John Curtis (R-UT) offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1380 designated Curtis ANS_046. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
  • H.R. 1380, as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 1726 (Rep. Tokuda), To require the Secretary of the Interior to partner and collaborate with the Secretary of Agriculture and the State of Hawaii to address Rapid Ohia Death, and for other purposes. “Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2023.”

  • The Subcommittee on Federal Lands was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1726.
  • Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO) offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1726 which was designated Neguse ANS. The amendment was adopted by unanimous consent.
  • H.R. 1726, as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 2872 (Rep. Graves of Louisiana), To amend the Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2013 to allow States to issue electronic stamps under such Act, and for other purposes.

  • The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2872.
  • Representative Garret Graves (R-LA) offered an amendment to H.R. 2872 which was designated Graves of Louisiana_031. The amendment was agreed to by unanimous consent.
  • H.R. 2872, as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 3324 (Rep. Huffman), To extend the authority to collect Shasta-Trinity Marina fees through fiscal year 2029.

  • H.R. 3324 was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

H.R. 3397 (Rep. Curtis), To require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to conservation and landscape health.

  • Representative Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) offered an amendment to Curtis ANS_045 which was designated Grijalva #1. The amendment was not agreed to by a roll call vote of 13 to 18.
  • Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) offered an amendment to Curtis ANS_045 which was designated Kamlager-Dove #2. The amendment was not agreed to by a roll call vote of 16 to 19.
  • Representative Susie Lee (D-NV) offered an amendment to Curtis ANS_045 which was designated Lee_027. The amendment was not agreed to by a roll call vote of 16 to 20.
  • Representative John Curtis (R-UT) offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute designated Curtis ANS_045. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
  • H.R. 3397, as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by roll call vote of 20 to 16.
House Natural Resources Committee
1324 Longworth

06/21/2023 at 10:15AM

Nominations for Amtrak and NTSB

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, will convene a full committee nominations hearing on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. ET to consider nominations for the Amtrak Board of Directors and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Nominees:

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
253 Russell

06/21/2023 at 10:00AM

Dollars and Degrees: Investigating Fossil Fuel Dark Money’s Systemic Threats to Climate and the Federal Budget

There will be a hearing of the Committee on the Budget on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 10:00 AM in Room SD-608 to consider: “Dollars and Degrees: Investigating Fossil Fuel Dark Money’s Systemic Threats to Climate and the Federal Budget.”

Member Statements

Witnesses:

  • Dr. Naomi Oreskes, Henry Charles Lea Professor Of The History Of Science, Harvard University
  • Christine Arena, Founder And Producer, Generous Films
  • Richard Painter, S. Walter Richey Professor Of Corporate Law, University of Minnesota Law School
  • Roger Pielke, Jr., Professor Of Environmental Studies, University of Colorado Boulder, Republican witness
  • Scott Walter, President, Capital Research Center, Republican witness
Senate Budget Committee
608 Dirksen

06/21/2023 at 10:00AM

Examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Emissions Standards

Subcommittee hearing titled “Clearing the Air: Examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Emissions Standards”

Witness:

  • Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Environmental Protection Agency

In April, EPA announced proposed pollution standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, for model year 2027 and beyond. The proposed standards align with commitments already made by automakers and commercial vehicle manufacturers as they plan to accelerate clean vehicle technologies in the on-road vehicle fleet over the next 5 to 10 years. Consistent with EPA’s traditional approach to establishing pollution standards under the Clean Air Act, these proposals would deliver dramatic improvements in public health, notable savings for consumers and commercial fleets, and increased energy security for Americans. They would help American workers lead in the jobs and industries of tomorrow. If finalized, these proposals would mark a significant step towards improving air quality, protecting people’s health, and addressing the climate crisis.

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
   Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee
2247 Rayburn

06/21/2023 at 10:00AM

Review of the National Academy of Sciences Report ‘The Coast Guard’s Next Decade: An Assessment of Emerging Challenges and Statutory Needs’

Subcommittee hearing to review of the National Academy of Sciences report ‘The Coast Guard’s Next Decade: An Assessment of Emerging Challenges and Statutory Needs.’

In the face of climate change, technological innovation, and global strategic competition, the U.S. Coast Guard will need to respond to many developments in the maritime domain over the next decade. The Coast Guard likely has sufficient statutory authority to respond to most of these developments, but some developments may call for new or clarified statutory authority as well as coordination with international bodies.

Witnesses:

  • Admiral Steve Poulin, Vice Commandant, United States Coast Guard
  • Dr. Cary Coglianese, Ph.D., Chair, Committee for a Study on New Coast Guard Authorities, National Academy of Sciences
  • Heather MacLeod, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, United States Government Accountability Office

Opening remarks, as prepared, of Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster (R-FL) from today’s hearing, entitled “Review of the National Academy of Sciences Report ‘The Coast Guard’s Next Decade: An Assessment of Emerging Challenges and Statutory Needs’”:

Today, our Subcommittee will receive testimony on the National Academy of Sciences Report entitled “The Coast Guard’s Next Decade: An Assessment of Emerging Challenges and Statutory Needs’.”

I’d like to welcome our distinguished witnesses – Admiral Steve Poulin, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard; Dr. Cary Coglianese, Chair of the National Academy of Sciences panel that authored the study; and Heather MacLeod, Director, Homeland Security and Justice, Government Accountability Office (GAO).

The Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020 directed the Coast Guard to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to assess the emerging issues that will require Coast Guard action over the next decade and provide recommendations on what adjustments will be needed to support the Coast Guard’s efforts to confront these issues.

The National Academy of Sciences consulted with current and former members of the Coast Guard, industry stakeholders, and others to develop the conclusions outlined in the report, which was delivered to the Committee last month. Dr. Coglianese, I want to thank you and the other authors of the study for your diligent work.

Over the next decade, several external factors, including the advent of new technologies such as autonomous marine systems and global strategic competition—driven largely by China’s aggressive posture in the Pacific—will challenge the Coast Guard’s capabilities and require the Service to adapt to a changing mission set.

While the study found that the Coast Guard’s current authorities are sufficient to confront most of these challenges, Congress will need to continuously monitor the statutory authorities necessary for the Service to carry out its missions — particularly with regard to autonomous systems and the regulation of maritime safety zones for space flights and other emerging uses of the maritime domain.

As the Coast Guard confronts these new challenges, it must recognize that as mission demand grows, it must be realistic about the necessary assets, infrastructure, and workforce needed to carry out its mission.

It goes without saying that with growing manpower shortages, an increasing shoreside infrastructure backlog, and a completely defective procurement process, the Coast Guard has a lot of work to do in order to meet the increasing mission demands the Service will see over the next decade.

To all our witnesses—thank you for participating today. I look forward to a candid discussion on how the Coast Guard will confront this changing landscape.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
   Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee
2253 Rayburn

06/21/2023 at 10:00AM

Enhancing America’s Grid Security and Resilience

Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) is holding a field hearing in Moore County, North Carolina, titled “Enhancing America’s Grid Security and Resilience.”

395 Magnolia Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374

House Energy and Commerce Committee
   Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee

06/16/2023 at 10:00AM

Impacts of Plastic Production and Disposal on Environmental Justice Communities

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 10:00 AM ET, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight, will hold a hearing to examine the public health and environmental impacts of plastic production and disposal on environmental justice communities.

Witnesses:

  • Angelle Bradford, Doctoral student in physiology and medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine, Volunteer, Sierra Club Delta Chapter
  • Sharon Lavigne, Founder, Rise St. James
  • Chris Tandazo, Director of Government Affairs, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance
  • Kevin Sunday, Director of Government Affairs, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
  • Donna Jackson, Director of Membership Development, Project 21 – National Center for Public Policy and Research
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
   Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight Subcommittee
406 Dirksen

06/15/2023 at 10:00AM

Rescinding the BLM Conservation and Landscape Health Rule

The Committee on Natural Resources will hold a legislative hearing on H.R. 3397 (Rep. Curtis), to require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to conservation and landscape health, on Thursday, June 15 at 9:00 a.m. in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building.

Hearing memo

Witnesses

Panel I (Bill Sponsor):

  • John Curtis, Utah’s 3rd Congressional District

Panel II (State Elected Officials):

  • Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota
  • Mark Gordon, Governor of Wyoming

Panel III (Administration and Non-Government Outside Witnesses):

  • Nada Wolff Culver, Principal Deputy Director, Bureau of Land Management
  • Kathleen Sgamma, President, Western Energy Alliance
  • Kathy Chandler-Henry, Board Chair, Eagle County Board of Commissioners, Eagle, Colorado

On April 3, 2023, the BLM published in the Federal Register a proposed rule, “Conservation and Landscape Health,” (“Rule”) with a 75-day comment period. The Rule would broadly allow the BLM to lease lands under new conservation leases, incorporate new standards when evaluating traditional multiple use decisions, expedite designations of new Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs), and apply land health standards to all public lands.

House Natural Resources Committee
1324 Longworth

06/15/2023 at 09:00AM

Annual Capital Dinner Celebrating Biden and Pelosi

For the first time since 2019, the League of Conservation Voters is pleased to invite you to our annual Capital Dinner on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Washington, DC, at the Anthem at the Wharf.

On Wednesday, June 14, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) will host its annual Capital Dinner (our first since 2019) featuring President Joe Biden and honoring Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi with the lifetime achievement award. This year, the dinner will focus on celebrating climate victories and honoring climate champions. We’re expecting a number of members of Congress, among others.

Since we last held this dinner, we have helped elect the most pro-environment president in American history, deliver truly historic legislation on climate action that will shape our country for decades to come, and fought for solutions to the point that 40% of people in the United States now live in a place that is committed to 100% clean energy.

Let’s come together to celebrate these incredible successes, remain diligent and committed to this work, and ensure that we leave a livable planet for ourselves and future generations. Our earth is worth fighting for.

President’s Circle – $100,000

  • Two premier tables at the dinner (20 seats)
  • 20 tickets to the President’s Circle Cocktail Reception
  • Premier listing on the LCV Capital Dinner website and event signage
  • Premier inclusion in sponsor recognition slideshow shown at event
  • Membership in the Environmental Majority Council

Climate Victory Circle – $50,000

  • Two premier tables at the dinner (20 seats)
  • 10 tickets to the President’s Circle Cocktail Reception, 10 tickets to the Capital Cocktail Reception
  • Premier listing on the LCV Capital Dinner website and event signage
  • Premier inclusion in sponsor recognition slideshow shown at event
  • Membership in the Environmental Majority Council

Green Sponsor – $25,000

  • One premier table at the dinner (10 seats)
  • 4 tickets to the President’s Circle Cocktail Reception, 6 tickets to the Capital Cocktail Reception
  • Premier listing on the LCV Capital Dinner website and event signage
  • Inclusion in sponsor recognition slideshow shown at event
  • Membership in the Environmental Majority Council

Gold Sponsor – $12,500

  • One premier table at the dinner (10 seats) 2 tickets to the President’s Circle * Reception, 8 tickets to the Capital Cocktail Reception
  • Premier listing on the LCV Capital Dinner website and event signage
  • Inclusion in sponsor recognition slideshow shown at event
  • Membership in the Environmental Majority Council

Silver Sponsor – $7,500

  • One table at the dinner (10 seats)
  • 10 tickets to the Capital Cocktail Reception
  • Listing on the LCV Capital Dinner website and event signage
  • Inclusion in sponsor recognition slideshow shown at event
  • Membership in the Environmental Majority Council

Bronze Sponsor – $2,500

  • 2 tickets to the dinner
  • 2 tickets to the Capital Cocktail Reception
  • Listing on the LCV Capital Dinner website and event signage
  • Membership in the Environmental Majority Council

Environmental Majority Council Renewal – $1,000

  • 1 ticket to the dinner
  • 1 ticket to the Capital Cocktail Reception Membership in the Environmental Majority Council
League of Conservation Voters
District of Columbia
06/14/2023 at 06:00PM