The New Administration – It’s Been a Busy 60 Days! Vanessa M. Leiby WWEMA Executive Director WWEMA 44th Washington Forum March 22, 2016

Trump Campaign Promises Increase Funding for Defense and Protect Our Borders Decrease the Size of Government and Make More Efficient Rebuild America’s Infrastructure Withdraw from TPP and Reverse or Withdraw from NAFTA Buy American/Hire American

Presidential Actions Reducing Regulations and Controlling Regulatory Costs - E. O. signed on January 30, 2017 One In – Two Out The total incremental cost of new regulations < zero OMB will tell each agency a total amount of incremental costs that will be allowed in issuing new regulations and repealing regulations for the next fiscal year

Presidential Actions Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda – E.O. signed on February 24, 2017; each Agency to: Designate Regulatory Reform Officer (RRO) Establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to evaluate existing regulations and make recommendations regarding their repeal, replacement, or modification.  Identify regulations that eliminate jobs or inhibit job creation; are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective; or impose costs that exceed benefits. Seek stakeholder input and provide a report within 90 days and incorporate into annual performance plans performance indicators that measure progress towards the goals.

Presidential Actions Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch – E.O. signed on March 13, 2017 OMB to propose a plan to reorganize governmental functions and eliminate unnecessary agencies, components of agencies, and agency programs. Within 180 days of the order, the head of each Agency to submit a proposed plan to reorganize the Agency, if appropriate. A FR notice will be published inviting the public to suggest improvements. The plan will seek to eliminate redundancy; determine whether there is a better fit at the state or local government level or the private sector; and whether the costs of continuing a program are justified by the public benefits it provides. 

Presidential Actions Streamlining Permitting and Reducing Regulatory Burdens for Domestic Manufacturing – Presidential Memorandum issued January 24, 2017 The Secretary of Commerce will conduct outreach to stakeholders and solicit comments from the public concerning Federal actions to streamline permitting and reduce regulatory burdens affecting domestic manufacturers. The Commerce Secretary will submit a report to the President identifying recommendations to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturing and to reduce regulatory burdens affecting domestic manufacturers. The report should identify priority actions as well as recommended deadlines for completing actions. FR published March 7, 2017 seeks input from manufacturers on the permitting process and regulatory burden/compliance issues. Comments due March 31, 2017

Presidential Actions Construction of American Pipelines – Presidential Memorandum issued January 24, 2017 The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with all relevant executive departments and agencies, is to develop a plan under which all new pipelines, as well as retrofitted, repaired, or expanded pipelines, inside the borders of the United States, including portions of pipelines, use materials and equipment produced in the United States, to the maximum extent possible and the extent permitted by law. The Secretary shall submit the plan to the President within 180 days of the date of this memorandum. Produced in the U.S means all manufacturing processes for iron and steel products from initial melting through application of coatings occurs in U.S. Dept. of Commerce seeks information on construction and maintenance of American pipelines in FR published March 16, 2017 Comments due April 7, 2017

FY-2017 Appropriations House and the Senate wrapping up negotiations on a FY-17 omnibus spending package by March 29. The current funding CR expires April 28. An omnibus bill, that rolls up all remaining unpassed funding measures, would avoid a government shutdown and provide agencies with fresh spending levels for the final six months of the fiscal year.

FY-2018 Trump “Skinny Budget” America First – A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again released on Thursday, March 17. Referred to as the “skinny budget,” provides a road map for a more comprehensive FY-18 budget plan that is expected in May. Increase in $54 billion in defense spending that is offset by targeted reductions in domestic programs. One of his top priorities is modernizing the Nation’s outdated infrastructure. Cuts programs and funding across Federal agencies.

FY-2018 Trump “Skinny Budget” EPA took largest cut at 31% Budget reflects a need for the Agency to focus on core legal requirements, the recognition of the important role of states in implementing the Nation’s environmental laws, and the President’s priority to ease the burden of unnecessary Federal regulations that impose significant costs for workers and consumers without justifiable environmental benefits. The cuts will result in 3,200 fewer positions at the Agency. Budget included $2.3 billion for the SRFs, an increase of $4 million from FY-17 CR levels and provides $20 million for WIFIA.

FY-2018 Trump “Skinny Budget” Cuts EPA’s Office of Enforcement by $129 million noting the remaining budget be focused on violations for programs not enforced by the states. Categorical Grants, which fund state programs such as the PWSS program were cut almost in half. Includes elimination of the EnergyStar program, the endocrine disruptor screening program, infrastructure assistance to Alaska Native Villages and the Mexican Border, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Cuts the budget of the Office of Research and Development in half. In all, the budget cuts would do away with 50 EPA programs.

Trade President Trump Creates National Trade Council (NTC) in White House Policy Office Withdraws U.S. from TPP on January 24, 2017 12 nation trade deal covers 40% of world’s economy Preference for Bi-lateral Trade Agreements Plans to re-negotiate NAFTA (Canada/Mexico) WWEMA input through Dept. of Commerce ETTAC

Next Steps – Congressional Priorities Repeal and Replace Health Care Act Supreme Court Nomination FY-2017 CR – expires April 28, 2017 Tax Reform FY-2018 Appropriations Infrastructure