Federal Update – Water Resources Development Act, Cannabis Rescheduling and More
July 25, 2024
House Clears Water Resources Bill and Interior Spending Measure; Chamber Set to Adjourn for the Summer
This week, the House overwhelmingly approved legislation (H.R. 8812) that would reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The bill, which authorizes programs and projects under the purview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program, is typically renewed by Congress on a biennial basis. This year’s House bill includes 159 new feasibility studies for locally proposed projects, as well as 12 projects that have been reviewed by the Corps and have culminated in a final report to Congress.
In addition to WRDA, the House narrowly approved its fiscal year 2025 Interior and Environment spending measure (H.R. 8998). That brings the total number of bills passed in the House to five (of 12). While House GOP leaders had initially sought to advance several other funding measures this week – including those covering Energy-Water Development (H.R. 8997); Financial Services (H.R. 8773); and, Agriculture-Rural Development (H.R. 9027) – the bills were pulled from consideration when it became evident they did not have the necessary support to pass.
Across Capitol Hill, the Senate Appropriations Committee earlier today approved four fiscal year 2025 spending bills, with plans to consider five more next week. If the panel stays on schedule, committee leaders will have cleared all 12 bills for floor consideration. However, it should be noted that the full chamber has yet to take up any of the measures. Despite the recent progress in both chambers, the House and Senate have yet to come to an agreement on topline spending levels.
Looking ahead, and with so few legislative days remaining before the October 1 start of the new federal fiscal year, it’s a foregone conclusion that Congress will need to consider a Continuing Resolution later this year. While the length of a stopgap funding bill is unclear at this point, it’s likely that such a measure will extend government funding beyond the November elections.
As budget talks have stalled in the House, and with no immediate business remaining on the congressional calendar, Republican leaders have cancelled next week’s legislative session, allowing members to begin their August recess early. The Senate will adjourn for the summer at the conclusion of business next week. Both chambers are scheduled to return on September 9th.
CSAC Submits Comments on Cannabis Rescheduling
Earlier this week, CSAC submitted comments in support of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) proposed rule to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to the less restrictive Schedule III. In all, and ahead of a July 22 deadline, more than 40,000 submissions had been filed on the issue. The 60-day public comment period kicked off in May, shortly after the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the rescheduling plan.
Schedule I classification denotes a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. In fact, cannabis is currently categorized alongside substances like heroin and LSD. It’s also classified as more dangerous than fentanyl or cocaine. If DEA’s proposed rule is finalized, cannabis would join substances such as ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone in Schedule III. This category is reserved for substances that have a potential for abuse less than the drugs in schedules I and II, an accepted medical use, and for which abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
While cannabis would remain federally prohibited, the new designation would remove significant barriers to research and allow state-licensed businesses to make federal tax deductions. However, CSAC remains concerned that reclassification will do little to improve industry access to traditional banking services. The all-cash nature of this industry will continue to pose a significant public safety risk.
Looking ahead, officials from DOJ will review all of the public comments. While it’s possible that a final rule could be in place prior to the November elections, the timeline could be delayed if the department holds an administrative hearing to receive additional input. Implementation could further be delayed if a lawsuit is filed ahead of the rule taking effect.
House Committee Advances Child Welfare and Child Support Bills
On Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved two bipartisan human services measures. The Committee passed the Strengthening State and Tribal Child Support Act (H.R. 7906) and the Protecting America’s Children by Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 9076). Additional information on the legislation may be found in this Ways and Means Committee press release.
Looking ahead, the House is expected to consider both bills this fall under suspension of the rules (no debate). Ideally, the child support measure will be considered during the three-week legislative window in September due to potential IRS action on October 1, 2024 to limit the use of contractors assisting tribes, states and counties. It should be noted that H.R. 7906 would result in federal savings, which would be used to fund modest, increased investments in child welfare programs funded under H.R. 9076.
Across Capitol Hill, the Senate is expected to take up the House child support package later this year. To date, there is no equivalent child welfare bill pending in the Senate Finance Committee.