According to a recently released analysis by the Environmental Policy Innovation Center ( EPIC ), congressional earmarks will cost ten states an estimated $2.3 billion in permanently revolving loan funds for clean water and drinking water infrastructure over the next 20 years. Congress Continues Massive Redistribution of Federal Funding for Water. Since earmarks returned in 2022, Congress has diverted $3.73 billion in federal funding from the fiscally-responsible Clean Water

Using economic productivity to establish spending targets for infrastructure investment, particularly for water, may provide meaningful, measurable benchmarks for funding decisions by federal, state and local governments. What is NATO's Financial Commitment to a Common Defense? Beginning in 2006, countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pledged to annually invest 2% of their nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in defense. GDP, which is the total value of g

Last night, President Donald Trump signed a bill to provide a combination of full-year and short-term funding to reopen the federal government after a record-breaking 43 day shutdown. The Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 , was sent to the President after passing the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support, 222 - 209. The "minibus" includes three of the 12 annual appr

Are we seeing the beginning of the end of the longest government shutdown in the nation's history? Funding Bill Clears Senate Procedural Hurdle to End the Filibuster Last night, the U.S. Senate voted, 60 - 40, to advance a bill that includes annual appropriations for three of 12 spending bills and a Continuing Resolution to fund the rest of the federal government through Friday, January 30. The bill also ensures furloughed workers will keep their jobs and federal employees wi

Today, the Value of Water Campaign released an enlightening and insightful analysis on the role of water in fueling America’s economy. Plus reports from the SRF State Advocates Forum, AWWA and WEF.   Tapping Potential: The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure Today, the Value of Water Campaign released Tapping Potential: The Economic Benefits of Investing in Water Infrastructure , an enlightening and insighful analysis of the role of water infrastructure o

Today's Finnsights recaps the latest on federal funding for water infrastructure, the Fed's interest rate cut, and the ongoing government shutdown, plus info on two upcoming webinars, including one on the Drinking Water SRFs. Federal Funding for Water Infrastructure Stalled The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to release federal funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for fiscal year 2025 for replacement of lead pipes that deliver drinki

Even if the Senate passed the House’s short-term funding bill today, the extension is unlikely to provide enough time for lawmakers to finalize annual appropriations before the clock runs out, which means yet another Continuing Resolution is on the horizon.   Nearing the Halfway Mark On Friday, September 19, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the  Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026  ( H.R. 5371 ) by a vote of 217-212. The bill extended federal funding fo

Massachusetts announced today that the state has been forced to pause replacement of lead pipes because the U.S. Environmental Protection...

The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate 2026 appropriations bills, combined, cut $737 million in annual federal funding from...

The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate 2026 appropriations bills, combined, cut $909 million in annual federal funding from...

Only in Washington, D.C., can lawmakers convert billions in federal funding from low-interest loans into one-time grants for handpicked...

Today's Finnsights recaps the latest on a looming government shutdown, including EPA's shutdown plan, protection for furloughed federal...

U.S. Senate votes down short-term funding bill passed by the U.S. House this morning. Senate Votes Down Short-Term Funding Bills The U.S....

The U.S. House of Representatives advances a short-term funding bill but the measure is likely to face a filibuster in the U.S. Senate....

Today, Thursday, September 18, the U.S. Senate voted, 51 - 47, to confirm Jessica Kramer as the Assistant Administrator for Water for the...

The Federal Reserve cuts benchmark interest rates for first time this year. Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates On Wednesday, September...

The U.S. House of Representatives releases a short-term funding measure to avert a government shutdown. U.S. Senate confirms new governor...

Today's Finnsights recaps this week's news on a potential stop-gap measure to prevent a government shutdown at the end of the month, a...

Is a Short-Term Continuing Resolution in the Works? According to media reports, the leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives and...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to release $3 billion in annual federal funding for replacement of lead service...