Julie Minerva

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Today’s post features commentary from guest author Julie Minerva.

For lobbyists, reading through annual appropriations reports is like hunting for Easter eggs. Unlike appropriations bills which are slim and rather constrained documents, appropriations reports provide an opportunity for the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to communicate directly to federal agencies. Whether it be prescribing direction to an agency on a particular federal program, conveying the committee’s opinion on an agency’s action (or as the case often is, inaction), or holding back federal funds until an agency performs in accordance with the wishes of the committee, appropriations reports are both entertaining and insightful for Washington insiders. 

Sound the alarmToday’s post features commentary from guest author Julie Minerva.

I must admit, my right hand is numb from hitting the refresh button on my computer since about 11 am EST on Tuesday. That’s because this week the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) was expected to release the Fiscal Year 2017 work plan. That finally happened around 6 pm EST on Wednesday (see previous blog post) and I’ve been combing through its pages ever since. The work plan is a companion document to the annual Energy & Water Appropriations bill and in the absence of earmarks, it’s how projects that didn’t make the cut for inclusion in the President’s budget get funded and also how new studies and new construction projects win coveted new start designations.

April 28

Today’s post features a collaboration between guest author Julie Minerva and Scott and Andrea.

After a grueling six-week legislative stretch, Members of Congress have returned home for a two-week district work period (weeks of April 10 and April 17).  Senators are scheduled to return to the Capitol on Monday, April 24th, while the House of Representatives will follow one day behind with a series of evening votes on Tuesday, April 25th.  This schedule gives the House just three full legislative days before the current continuing resolution (CR) expires at midnight on Friday, April 28th.  In preparation for this looming deadline Congress essentially has five options:

Skinny Budget

Today’s post features a collaboration between guest author Julie Minerva and Scott and Andrea.

This morning the Trump Administration released its America First Budget (aka the Skinny Budget) for FY18. The text of the document contains much of the same rhetoric you heard in the President’s inaugural address as the budget proposes to focus on advancing the safety and security of the American people. Overall the budget proposes to increase spending for the Department of the Defense by $54B and it does this by eliminating or reducing most domestic discretionary budget items by an equivalent amount. For some agencies the America First Budget cuts straight into the bone. For the potential impact to flood protection programs, read on!

Washtington DCToday’s post features guest author Julie Minerva, a Civil Works Review Board veteran who has been engaging with the US Army Corps of Engineers at the federal level for the better part of 15 years.

As part of the Corps SMART Planning Process, all feasibility studies must complete a formal…