In This Issue:

Energy and Climate Debate; Congress, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy; Department of Transportation; Environmental Protection Agency; Federal Energy Regulation Commission; Nuclear Regulatory Commission; International; States; and Miscellaneous.

Excerpt from Energy and Climate Debate -

Two weeks ago, many had expected the House and Senate to consider spending and foreign relations issues last week. Instead, the House pushed back consideration of the continuing resolution to this week while the Senate postponed consideration of Syria. The Senate took up what it was originally set to consider: Shaheen-Portman. On Tuesday, the Senate began considering S. 1392, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act. The same day, the White House released a statement of administration policy in support of the bill. Members had agreed to not introduce amendments related to Syria, but non-germane amendments have been introduced, including six Republican amendments, such as one by Senator David Vitter (R-LA), to alter or end the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) introduced an amendment asking the Obama Administration to approve Keystone; Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Mark Begich (D-AK), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Mark Pryor (D-AR) are some of the co-sponsors. The Senate, still stuck on the Obamacare amendments, concluded business on Thursday without voting on the bill. This week, debate is expected to continue on Shaheen-Portman, and the House will likely consider H.R. 1526, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act.