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Government Affairs News

Week in Review

Aug 4, 2023

Defense Funding Passes the Senate
On July 27, 2023, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the Senate with bipartisan support. The bill would authorize $886 billion in spending for FY24, ensuring the economic stability of our national defense. NECA worked with Senators to ensure the inclusion of:

  • Full funding to military construction programs;
  • Development of fuel cell electric vehicles;
  • Inclusion of the ADVANCE Act, that streamlines advance nuclear reactor permits;
  • Research and development of the use of hydrogen as a fuel source;
  • Improves the timeliness of payments made to small business subcontractors;
  • Help small businesses in the bidding process for Department of Defense construction contracts.

NECA's Take: As the House and now Senate have passed different versions of the NDAA, a bicameral conference will be required to work out the differences in the legislation. NECA will continue to monitor the progress of the NDAA as the September 30th deadline approaches.

 

FY 2024 Appropriations Overview
The House and Senate left Washington with both chambers failing to pass all 12 appropriation bills. The House of Representatives only passed 2 out of 12 while the Senate has only passed their bills out of committee. In the House, it has been difficult for leadership to move these bills through various negotiations over funding levels. On the Senate side, they have moved slower but have received overwhelming bipartisan support in committee. The two chambers will have tough negotiations ahead since the Senate set their funding levels at the funding caps agreed to by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The House has gone through multiple iterations of funding levels and other amendments as Speaker McCarthy negotiates within in caucus:

Department of Labor
House: $9.1B (34% reduction of FY23); Senate $13.5B

Department of Commerce
House: $9.6B (13% reduction of FY23); Senate $11.1B

Environmental Protection Agency
House: $6.2B (40% reduction of FY23); Senate $9.9B

Department of Energy (non-defense programs)
House: $5.4B (22% reduction of FY23); Senate $17.3B

NECA's Take: NECA is continuing discussing with members of congress on fulling funding infrastructure and energy programs in FY24.

 

Legislators Return Home
Last week, Congress returned home for the summer district work period until September 8th. This is a great time to meet with your Member of Congress at home and discuss the issues impacting the electrical construction industry. Please feel free to use these resources when meeting with your legislators in the district!

 

NECAPAC Update
Special Thanks to Mike Holmes of Holmes Electric for renewing his PLC membership!

NECAPAC Total 8/4/23 - $366,694
Operational Fund Total 8/4/23 - $147,389

 

NECA On the Move
Over the past two weeks, NECA’s Government Affairs team met with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Senator Roger Wicker (R-MI), and Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL).