Washington Report – April 7, 2025

Congress will be in recess for the weeks of April 14 and 21; therefore, the APWA Washington Report will be published next on April 28. Follow APWA Government Affairs on X and LinkedIn for updates.

Latest News

U.S. DOT Secretary Duffy Testifies

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week about the next surface transportation reauthorization bill;
The current infrastructure law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), expires Sept. 30, 2026, and is a broad infrastructure bill, though two-thirds of the law is transportation funding and policy;
In his statement, the Secretary stressed the importance of improving safety, addressed concerns related to temporary pauses in federal funding from the IIJA, reducing bureaucracy and the time it takes to approve and build infrastructure projects;
The Secretary also announced the notice of funding opportunity for the FY25 Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program is open for applications—the due date is June 26.

DOT Request for Input on Deregulation—Submissions due by May 5

The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has issued a request for information in the Federal Register: Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementation of the President’s Department of Government Efficiency’s Deregulatory Agenda;
The purpose of this request for information is to identify existing DOT regulations, guidance, or reporting requirements inconsistent with law or Administration policy, including those that may be unnecessary, obsolete, or no longer make sense;
This request for information is to assist DOT in aligning with President Trump’s Executive Orders 14219 and 14192.

APWA Government Affairs on the Road

APWA Government Affairs Specialist Jeff Finegan and Government Affairs Manager Marty Williams will each present a joint session during the 2025 North American Snow Conference at 3:30 p.m., Monday, at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan;
The sessions:
- “APWA Government Affairs Perspective-Workforce Development”
- “APWA Government Affairs Perspective-Public Works Professionals as First Responders”
Later this week, APWA Director of Government and Public Affairs Andrea Eales and Jeff will participate in the APWA Missouri Chapter’s Spring Conference in Cape Girardeau, MO;
Speaking to the chapter, April 10, about APWA’s Government Affairs and public visibility work will be the primary focus; a separate breakout strategic planning session is also on the agenda;
The Government Affairs team supports advocacy in-person trainings, legislative updates, and strategic planning related to the advocacy goals of chapters—if interested, contact Andrea Eales at aeales@apwa.org.

FEMA Discontinues BRIC Grant Program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has cancelled the Building Resilience Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) grant fund program;
BRIC supported states, local, territorial governments and Tribal Nations in their efforts to mitigate hazard risks;
All current applications will not be considered and money that has not been disbursed will stay in the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), or returned to the U.S. Treasury;
FEMA released the following advisory with additional information.

Laura Grimm named Acting NOAA Administrator

NOAA Chief of Staff Laura Grimm has been tapped to lead the agency;
She replaces Acting Administrator Nancy Hann, who will remain with NOAA as deputy undersecretary for operations;
Grimm is expected to serve in this capacity, pending Senate consideration and confirmation of Neil Jacobs who was nominated by President Trump earlier this year.

Email Your U.S. Rep. to Join the U.S. House Public Works & Infrastructure Caucus

Take a moment to contact your U.S. Representative about the recently re-established U.S. House Public Works & Infrastructure Caucus;
Based on your zip code, if your U.S. Representative is already a member, a pre-generated email thanking them for joining will be sent;
- If your U.S. Representative has not yet joined, pre-generated language urging them to join will populate;
Your participation in these action alerts is critical to amplifying APWA’s voice in Washington, D.C.;
The caucus, established in 2016, plays an invaluable role in helping to educate Members of Congress and their staff about the importance of public works and infrastructure;
Click here to email your lawmakers, then share the link;
Text PWX to 52886 to receive alerts via text message.

On the Horizon

(All times ET)

April 8 at 10 a.m., the House Energy and Commerce committee is holding a mark-up and is expected to include the WIPPES Act—H.R. 2269, of which APWA and coalition partners support;
April 8 at 10 a.m., the Senate Finance Committee has a hearing with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on The President’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda;
April 9 at 10 a.m., the House Ways and Means committee will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Geer on The President’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda;
April 9 at 10 a.m., the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee’s Highways and Transit subcommittee will hold a hearing on America Builds: A Review of Our Nation’s Transit Policies and Programs;
April 9 at 10 a.m., the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is holding a hearing on Improving Future Management of the Superfund Program.