DC CURRENTS
Updates on Recent Government Relations Activities
December 16, 2011
Dr. John Anderson, member of the the Government Relations Committee, Testifies before Congress
John Anderson (R) presents testimony on behalf of SSA. SSA member John Ebel (L) waits to present as well.
On Tuesday, the House Energy & Natural Resources subcommittee of the Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on HR3479 - The Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2011. Dr. John Anderson was an invited witness and represented SSA, providing feedback on the Bill as it moves through the legislative process toward passage.
Dr. Anderson provided the opening statements to the Committee, stressing the need to reauthorize NEHRP and commented on the authorization level for the USGS as contained in the Bill. He noted the great collaboration between the NEHRP agencies and the need to ensure the continued availability of data after an event, as well as the need to collect seismic data through the ANSS, GSN, and regional networks.
Also invited to testify were Dr. David Applegate of USGS and Dr. John Ebel of Weston Observatory at Boston College, both SSA members.
The hearing webcast can be viewed online here.
Several SSA members participated in Geoscience Congressional Visits Day (GeoCVD) orientation: pictured are Wayne Pennington, Lisa Walsh, Chuck Langston, Bob Anderson, Linda Rowan and John Vidale.
September 30, 2011
SSA Members Visit Washington
SSA members went to Washington the week of September 20. They participated in a variety of events aimed at communicating the importance of the geosciences and seismology to policymakers.
Geo-CVD
SSA co-sponsored and participated in the 2011 Geo-Science Congressional Visits Day event, September 20-21. With over 50 participants, the event consisted of a half-day workshop on issues from how the appropriations process works and what to expect from Congressional visits, to budget overview presentations on key science agencies.
The following day, the participants walked the halls of Congress - visiting over 100 offices of Representatives, Senators and Committees. SSA participants were able to highlight earthquake programs and their funding requirements, as well as the upcoming Re-authorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
Chuck Langston, University of Memphis, visits with Congressman Steve Cohen of Tennessee.
Geo-CVD, an annual event, was also co-sponsored by the American Geological Institute (AGI), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), the Geological Society of America (GSA), and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). AGI's report on Geo-CVD is at: http://www.agiweb.org/gap/events/geocvd11/index.html
USGS Coalition Reception
On September 21 SSA participated in and helped to arrange the annual reception on Capitol Hill sponsored by the Coalition for the U.S. Geological Survey, an alliance of over 70 organizations united by a commitment to the continued vitality of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and its ability to provide critical data and services to the nation. Senator Jeff Binaman (D-N.M) received the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coalition’s Leadership Award. The award recognized Senator Bingaman for his long-term support of the USGS and for his leadership on legislation and policies on natural resources, public lands, and energy for current and future generations.
Immediate Past-President Rick Aster represented SSA at the AGI Leadership Forum on the Importance of the Geosciences. Here he speaks with Cathy Manduca of the National Assn of Geoscience Teachers. Wayne Pennington, Incoming President of AGI is pictured behind them.
AGI Leadership Forum
On September 20, the American Geological Institute sponsored a Leadership Forum on The Importance of the Geosciences. Immediate Past President Rick Aster represented SSA and spoke at the forum as did SSA Member Wayne Pennington, Incoming President of AGI. Information on the forum is at: http://www.agiweb.org/events/LF2011/index.html
Government Relations Chair visits
On September 22 and 23, Government Relations Committee Chair Stu Nishenko joined Executive Director Susan Newman and Federal Liaison Elizabeth Duffy for targeted visits to Federal Agencies and Congressional Offices in support of reauthorization of the the National Earthquake Hazards Program and funding for NEHRP agencies.
August 25, 2011
Reminder – the fourth annual Geosciences Congressional Visits Day (GEO-CVD) takes place September 20-21 in Washington DC. GEO-CVD is an opportunity for geoscientists, engineers, researchers, and others to come to Washington and learn more about the legislative process and visit members of Congress to increase awareness and support for geoscience, engineering and technology. Please contact Elizabeth Duffy at eduffy@federalaffairs.com for more information or if if you're planning to attend.
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Appropriations Update – Just prior to recessing in August, the House was debating the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, but did not vote on it. The hold up and debate was due less on DOI and more to Environment and EPA issues. For the USGS, the Committee mark-up report restored cuts to Natural Hazards, Mineral Resources, Energy Resources and Hydrology programs. When the House reconvenes after Labor Day, the Bill will have to be brought to the floor again for a vote.
The backlog of Appropriations work to be completed prior to the start of the new fiscal year (October 1, 2011) will in all probability mean a Continuing Resolution, at least through November. There is commitment in both the House and Senate to pass as many individual spending bills as possible to avoid a consolidated omnibus bill, but the reality of time constraints will interfere with all individual bills passing both chambers.
July 15, 2011
Status of NEHRP Reauthorization
Recent conversations with the House Science Committee have reiterated the intent of the Committee to pass a hazards bill that will reauthroize NEHRP this year. However, the House calendar is overwhelmed with recent events and it is not anticipated that there will be significant movement on the Bill until after the August recess. We are staying in frequent contact with the appropriate staff members and House offices and will alert you when forward progress is underway.
FY2012 Department of Interior Budget
The Interior Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee completed its mark up of the FY2012 budget last week. The full Appropriations committee passed the Bill on Tuesday so it's headed for the House floor. Appropriations committee staff say they are seeking passage of this Bill before the August recess and would then send it to the Senate.
Funding for the USGS as a whole will be $1.118 billion - $30 million less than FY2011 enacted and $64 million less than the FY2012 request. The Hazards Program funding appears to be at the same level as last year, with earthquakes, the GSN, volcanoes, and landslides having the same funding amount as the enacted budget for FY2011. There were cuts to the USGS budget in climate change, and ecosystems while water saw a modest increase.