Representatives and Senators elected to the 115th Congress were sworn into office on January 3, formally beginning what is expected to be a busy and at times contentious session of legislating. Newly minted lawmakers on Capitol Hill quickly began work on a Republican agenda that, at least in the early days, is expected to center on repealing the Affordable Care Act, reducing regulatory authority and laying the groundwork for comprehensive tax reform.
Notably absent from the GOP’s early year priorities is action on a major infrastructure investment package. Last fall the campaign of President-elect Donald Trump promised to seek as much as $1 trillion worth of new infrastructure investments, including tripling funding for EPA’s Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs. But thus far congressional Republicans have been lukewarm to massive new spending initiatives, though some have indicated consideration of developing an infrastructure proposal later in the year.
AMWA is already reaching out to lawmakers about water sector goals for the new Congress. Among AMWA’s top priorities is preserving the tax-exempt status of municipal bond interest, which could be at risk under a tax reform plan that reduces individual exemptions in order to reduce marginal tax rates. The association is currently working to develop data on the value of the muni bond exemption to water and wastewater utilities nationwide and will use that information to advocate on Capitol Hill in favor of maintaining the exemption.