Updates

October 2009 Appropriations Update

February 2008
Corps Budget Guidance
Corps Budget
President's Budget

December 26, 2007 H.R.2764 (select pages)

December 19, 2007
Senate Version H.R.2764

December 18, 2007
House Version H.R.2764

December 10, 2007
Senate Legislative Calendar

Legislative Updates

Appropriations Update

Note: President's Budget, page 1024
"The Inland Waterways Trust Fund is authorized under the Inland Waterways Revenue Act of 1978 (P.L. 95–502), as amended by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (P.L. 99–662). Revenue currently is derived from taxes imposed on fuel for commercial vessels engaged in inland waterways transportation, plus investment interest. The Administration has proposed creation of an alternative funding source to the fuel tax. It would consist of a fee imposed on commercial barges using locks operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The fee would be phased in beginning October 1, 2008, with increases each year through December 31, 2012. Automatic adjustments to the fee would be made annually beginning in 2013, based on the total net assets in the Trust Fund. The Budget shows all activity related to the Inland Waterways Trust Fund as occurring within the Construction, Operation and Maintenance, and Mississippi River and Tributaries accounts. The fund is used to pay one half of the costs associated with the construction, replacement, expansion, and rehabilitation of Federal inland waterways projects."

President Signs Omnibus spending bill H.R.2764 (12/26/07)
President Bush referred to the overall spending levels in the omnibus as “reasonable and responsible”. To view the full version on the bill click here (1400 plus pages). To view Water related approprations click here (48 pages). 

Senate Passes Omnibus spending bill H.R.2764 (12/19/07)
Late yesterday, the Senate approved the omnibus spending bill 76-17. 

Lawmakers approved the $560 billion package, with one amendment pertaining to additional funding for Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Senate was expected to make changes to domestic spending levels and policy provisions in the legislation but surprisingly that scenario did not occur.

The House is expected to approve the modified omnibus bill today, potentially wrapping up that  chamber's work for the year as well.

House Passes Omnibus spending bill H.R. 2764 (12/18/07)
The House omnibus spending bill (HR 2764) passed Monday evening 253-154.  $31.5 billion has been allotted for the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies.  

The omnibus bill would also allocate $5.6 billion (more than the 4.9 billion than Bush requested) to the Army Corps of Engineers for water and infrastructure projects, about $250 million more than enacted for fiscal 2007, not including emergency appropriations.

The bill retains about 1,300 authorized projects, most of which are for Army Corps projects.

The bill will now move to the Senate.  If amended in the Senate as expected; it will then need to be sent back to the House for approval again before being sent to the President. 

The Administration and Congress have been locked in a battle on how much Congress should   exceed the spending levels outlined in the President’s February 2007 budget. The President has promised to veto any measure that exceeds his budget.   

The omnibus bill retains most earmarks included by Congress in the House and Senate   appropriations bills.  However, both budgeted and earmarks, included in the bill will see a reduction of 1.56 percent under what was requested, in order to hold the line on overall spending levels.

Mark your calendars and be ready for 2008.  It promises to be a busy year! 

Senate Legislative Calendar:

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