Ocean Policy Roundup
May 10-17, 2024
Just when we thought DC might slow down, Congress took a few more steps in the march towards fiscal year 2025 (FY25) federal funding. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-OK-06) released the House subcommittee allocations, which propose topline numbers for the various government spending bills. The committee also dropped its markup schedule, which includes dates for both committee and subcommittee appropriations markups.
House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) responded to the allocations with a one pager blasting House Republicans over proposed spending cuts (and repeatedly quoting Taylor Swift’s latest album—is DeLauro a Swiftie?!). Her overall message is that Republican topline numbers are out of sync with the Fiscal Responsibility Act agreement, which calls for at least a one-percent increase in both defense and nondefense spending. Republicans are calling for a $67 billion cut to nondefense spending.
The Senate will be in session next week. The House will be in session Tuesday through Friday.
News highlights:
President Biden signed a National Security Memorandum on U.S. Policy on the Antarctic Region, and announced new actions around Antarctic environmental protection.
The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 passed the House. This bill would authorize FY25 and FY26 appropriations to support Coast Guard operations and enable the service to continue to recapitalize its cutter fleet, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The House Agriculture Committee released a discussion draft of its 2024 Farm Bill.
DOE, DOI, and the Departments of Commerce and Transportation released a report summarizing progress toward the goals of the Floating Offshore WindShot.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Check out our public Google calendar and printable PDF to keep track of the 2024 congressional schedule. Stay on top of appropriations markups and other key funding steps using our FY25 Appropriations Activity Tracker.
June 12, 2024: House subcommittee markup for the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bill
June 28, 2024: House subcommittee markup for the Interior, Environment appropriations bill
July 9, 2024: House full committee markup for the CJS appropriations bill
July 9, 2024: House full committee markup for the Interior, Environment appropriations bill
September 30, 2024: end of fiscal year 2024
Recap: Two Ocean-Related Budget Hearings
On Thursday, May 16, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies held a hearing to discuss the FY25 President’s Budget request for the Department of Commerce. Chair Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) criticized proposed cuts faced by several ocean programs, including the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and NOAA Sea Grant. Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KY) also expressed concern over possible cuts to widely supported programs. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo noted that while proposed cuts to programs like IOOS were unfortunate, the department chose to prioritize funding for weather prediction satellites.
Also on Thursday, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries held a hearing to review the FY25 President Budget request for the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, and the Power Marketing Administrations. Both Republicans and Democrats acknowledged the critical roles of these agencies, though they diverged on funding priorities and regulatory approaches. Republicans focused on wildlife and hydropower, while Democrats praised projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and questioned cuts to coastal resilience and fisheries programs. A hot topic for both parties was the ongoing conflict around the proposed vessel speed to protect North Atlantic right whales.
Upcoming Relevant Congressional Budget Hearings
May 21, 2024
2:30 PM — Hearing to Examine FY25 Proposed Budget Estimates and Justification for the Department of State; Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
May 22, 2024
10:00 AM — Hearing on the FY25 Request for the Department of State; House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
10:00 AM — Droughts, Dollars, and Decisions: Water Scarcity in a Changing Climate; Senate Committee on the Budget
10:30 AM — Hearing to Examine the Proposed FY25 Budget for DOE; Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
May 23, 2024
10:00 AM — Hearing to Examine the FY25 President’s Budget for BOEM, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and the Office of Natural Resources Revenue; House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
June 12, 2024
10:00 AM — Hearing to Examine the FY25 President's Budget Request for the Fish and Wildlife Service; Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (hearing link not yet posted)
Upcoming Relevant Congressional Hearings
May 22, 2024
10:00 AM — Hearing to Examine Federal Programs for the Circular Economy, Focusing on State and Local Perspectives on Efforts to Improve Reuse and Recycling; Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (hearing link not yet posted)
10:15 AM — House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Legislative Hearing, to include:
Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act of 2024 (H.R.7938)
Updates
The America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act (S.3791) passed the Senate. This bill, originally introduced by Senate Environment and Public Works Committee leaders Tom Carper (D-DE) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), would reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, and the Chesapeake Bay Program. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.
The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024 (H.R.7659) passed the House. This bill was originally introduced by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders Sam Graves (R-MO-06) and Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) along with Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee leaders Daniel Webster (R-FL-11) and Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24). It would authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to support Coast Guard operations and enable the service to continue to recapitalize its cutter fleet, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The House Agriculture Committee released a discussion draft of its 2024 Farm Bill.
Fisheries and Ecosystems
Ahead of the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, President Biden signed a National Security Memorandum on U.S. Policy on the Antarctic Region, and announced new actions around Antarctic environmental protection.
White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Brenda Mallory discussed the administration's priorities around clean water and conservation, as well CEQ’s proposed budget as it relates to climate, conservation, and environmental justice.
House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ-07), and Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Don Beyer (D-VA-08) led a letter signed by 16 House Democrats urging NOAA to swiftly finalize and implement measures to protect critically endangered Rice’s whales.
Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Jim Risch (R-ID), and Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05) and Michael McCaul (R-TX-10)sent a letter asking the administration to clarify leadership structure as it sets climate policy on the international stage.
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works released information on Members’ Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending (AKA earmark) requests.
EPA released a report highlighting wastewater infrastructure needs to protect water bodies across the country.
DOI and DOD renewed their Recovery and Sustainment Partnership, which aims to conserve imperiled and federally protected species under the Endangered Species Act while supporting national security.
The FDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with USDA to clarify roles and responsibilities for the regulation of genetically altered fish and other animals.
Ocean Data and Technology
The White House Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP) released a report on best practices for reducing organizational, cultural, and institutional barriers in STEM Research.
OSTP also released a report on advancing research capacity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office released a roadmap assessing operation and maintenance practices for U.S. offshore wind farms, associated future challenges and needs, and recommendations for technology innovations that could help address identified gaps.
NOAA announced $30 million to modernize and replace equipment on the Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) Ocean Observing System. The funding aims to further equipment to support improved tsunami detection and warning.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory launched the Wind Resource Database, an online platform for information about atmospheric forces that affect wind turbine performance and energy capture.
Offshore Wind and Energy
Canada and the United States announced the renewal of the bilateral Canada-U.S. Energy Transformation Task Force, which aims to accelerate cooperation on critical clean energy opportunities and supply chains.
DOE, DOI, and the Departments of Commerce and Transportation released a report summarizing progress toward the goals of the Floating Offshore Wind Shot.
DOE announced eight new department appointees.
Image: Ste Elmore San Deigo
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