Senate passes the Watershed Resilience Act 54–46 after adding a farm exemption
The official vote record and the amendment text settle most arguments about what's in it.
The (fictional) Watershed Resilience Act funds $40B over ten years for flood control and drinking water upgrades. A late amendment exempts small farms from new runoff reporting. It now goes to the House.
Official record
Passed 54–46. Amendment 12 (small-farm exemption) adopted 61–39.
Public Record Office ↗Progressive
A needed investment, weakened by an exemption that leaves the biggest runoff source unmeasured.
The Progressive Current ↗Conservative
The farm exemption protects family operations from paperwork; the price tag is still too high.
The Heritage Compass ↗Libertarian
Federal money for local pipes invites federal strings. States should lead.
Liberty Ledger ↗DownstreamWater rates may still rise
What are the second-order effects?
Grants cover capital costs, not operations. Many utilities will raise rates to maintain what they build.
Call to ActionTell your House member which projects your town needs
How can you help?
Project lists are being drafted now. Local specifics carry weight.
Upstream SignalsWatch the House committee markup
What should you watch for next?
The exemption is the likely flashpoint. Its survival predicts final passage.
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After exploring Public Record Office, you might wonder how an amendment can pass with more votes than the bill itself:
How a bill's amendments get madeWhy a late amendment passed with more votes than the bill. · Harbor & Pine Times · Swim · 30 min8 -
A century of federal water lawFrom dams to lead pipes. · The Understory · Plunge · an evening6