House rejects Dem attempt to protect environmental review of water projects

DeFazio proposed an amendment that would have delayed the streamlining of environmental rules until the backlog of water is reduced to $20 billion or less.

"There's no evidence that the public participation environmental review process has caused delay," said Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.). "The problem is not NEPA. The problem is that this Congress has failed to appropriate enough money to keep up with the projects we authorize."

Republicans took the view that environmental rules should still be streamlined in order to help projects get off the ground more quickly.

"The amendment seeks to undermine all environmental streamlining provisions in WRRDA," said Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.). "Regardless of the existence of backlogs, streamlining environment reviews is an essential reform and I believe it will help to reduce backlogs."

DeFazio's amendment was voted down 183-236.

The bipartisan bill de-authorizes $12 billion worth of projects from the backlog, which many members defended as a fiscally responsible move. Rep. Kerry BentivolioKerry BentivolioIndiana Republican: Leaders duped me Reindeer farmer saves 'cromnibus' with yes vote High drama as .1T spending package advances by one vote MORE (R-Mich.) proposed an amendment that would have de-authorized another $23 billion worth of projects, but the House voted that proposal down in a voice vote.

These amendments were among two dozen that were considered Wednesday afternoon. Others disposed of today were from:

— Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), managers amendment providing for the expediting of any ongoing feasibility study for prior authorized projects, and making other substantive and technical changes. Passed in voice vote.

— Bill FloresWilliam (Bill) Hose FloresThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC - Calls mount to start transition as Biden readies Cabinet picks Hillicon Valley: House votes to condemn QAnon | Americans worried about foreign election interference | DHS confirms request to tap protester phones House approves measure condemning QAnon, but 17 Republicans vote against it MORE (R-Texas), prohibiting any actions dealing with coastal and maritime spatial planning under an Obama administration order dealing with ocean preservation. Passed 225-193.

— Don YoungDonald (Don) Edwin YoungWest Virginia lawmaker slams GOP colleague over support for infrastructure law Congress to take up marijuana reform this spring Thanks to President Biden, infrastructure is bipartisan again — it needs to stay that way MORE (R-Alaska.), requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to contract with private sector surveying and mapping companies when possible. Rejected in voice vote.

— Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), including operation and maintenance costs associated with sand transfer plants in the annual budget of the Army Corps of Engineers. Failed 133-287.

— Walter Jones (R-N.C.), exempting the disaster restriction on projects that non-federal interests may contribute to. Withdrawn.

— Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), establishing a water-based freight policy to improve freight and cargo over waterways. Rejected in voice vote.

— Cedric Richmond (D-La.), directing the Army Corps to calculate the benefits of proposed flood prevention projects. Passed 237-183.

— Cory GardnerCory GardnerThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden to tackle omicron risks with new travel rules Gun control group alleges campaign finance violations in lawsuit against NRA Colorado Supreme Court signs off on new congressional map MORE (R-Colo.), establishing an Office of Water Storage at the Army Corps. Withdrawn.

Members also approved several en bloc by unanimous consent, which allowed the House to finish up amendments much earlier than first planned. Those amendments were from:

— Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), requiring a government study on how drought-affected regions of the country are having trouble meeting federal guidelines on lake levels.

— Sheila Jackson LeeSheila Jackson LeeNew Texas law limiting abortion takes effect Thursday Detroit voters back committee to study reparations Biden's policies have been disastrous to the US security, the economy MORE (D-Texas), requiring the government to consult with minority stakeholders on projects that substantially affect them.

— Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), requiring the Secretary of the Army to include flood and storm damage plans in its annual report to Congress.

— Scott Peters (D-Calif.), requiring the Secretary of the Army to coordinate with FEMA when disseminating emergency communications.

— Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.), requiring the Secretary of the Army not to insist on the removal of levee vegetation until guidelines on removal are adopted.

— Pedro Pierluisi (D-P.R.), adding Puerto Rico to a section of law authorizing the Secretary of the Army to waive cost-sharing requirements.

— Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonGOP steps up flirtation with Manchin Kyrsten Sinema is less of a political enigma than she is a strategic policymaker  Antitrust legislation imperils consumers and small businesses MORE (R-Ark.), allowing non-federal entities to collaborate with the Army Corps on selling excess water supply.

— Doc HastingsRichard (Doc) Norman HastingsCongress just resolved a 20-year debate over Neolithic remains Boehner hires new press secretary GOP plots new course on Endangered Species Act reform MORE (R-Wash.), ensuring that Congress continues the practice of authorizing project purposes at Army Corps dams or reservoirs.

— Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), setting up a multi-agency effort to slow the spread of Asian carp in the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River basins.

— Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), requiring the Government Accountability Office to conduct an assessment on the impacts of aquatic invasive species on federal assets.

— Julia BrownleyJulia Andrews BrownleyCongress can make progress on fighting emissions with Zero Food Waste Act House passes veterans contraception, LGBTQ business bills previously blocked by GOP Overnight Defense: Tucker Carlson comments cause military rage | Capitol guard duty questioned | Vet who served in Marine One unit charged in insurrection MORE (D-Calif.), requiring the Army Corps to consider activities of the Secretary of the Navy when assessing the operation and maintenance needs of harbors.

— Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), requiring the government to include "expanded uses" of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund in reports to Congress.

— Brownley, requiring a GAO study on the effectiveness of activities funded by the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.

— Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), expanding congressional reporting requirements to include recommendations for mitigating current problems and limiting the construction backlog.