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Today, Congressman Smith joined the Democratic Whip’s Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity, chaired by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Congressman Smith released the following statement regarding his new membership in the Task Force:

Based on input from New Hampshire citizens and businesses, U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte today announced her opposition to a final rule that would dramatically expand the federal government's jurisdiction over U.S. waters. She voted in support of bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw and revise the final "Waters of the United States" rule to take into account concerns from states, communities, and other local stakeholders. The legislation failed by a 57-41 vote, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance

U.S. Senator Tim Kaine signed a letter that calls on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the agricultural exemptions and provide more concise guidelines on compliance with EPA-issued water rules, instead of undermining protections for streams and wetlands. While the letter, co-signed by U.S. Senators Angus King, Bill Nelson, Mark Warner, Dianne Feinstein, Brian Schatz, Chris Coons, Tom Carper, Jon Tester, Michael Bennet and Amy Klobuchar, states that elimination of the entire rule would not be the appropriate course of action, it does acknowledge that the rule should be reviewed

A special two-day “Stand Down in Morristown’’ event for homeless and at-risk military veterans, which is aimed at giving them the support and guidance they need to put their lives back together and once again become self-sufficient, is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6 and 7 at the National Guard Armory in Morris Township.

Working to stop the regulatory nightmares caused by President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) today voted for both the Federal Water Quality Protection Act (S. 1140) and a joint Resolution of Disapproval to prevent the expanded “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule (S.J. Res. 22)

The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) today announced the recipients of additional funding under a program designed to help prevent foreclosures and stabilize local property values through the demolition and greening of vacant and blighted homes across the state. Twelve participating counties with established land banks were awarded a portion of $13 million in funding available through the fourth round of the Neighborhood Initiative Program (NIP).

“A clear bipartisan majority of senators voted today to stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s federal water grab. Regrettably, too many Senate Democrats chose to block this first real opportunity to vote yes to clean water and no to extreme bureaucracy. Instead of standing with America’s farmers, ranchers, small businesses and private-land owners, these senators chose to side with President Obama’s out-of-control EPA.

The Clark County Board of Commissioners will designate November 2015 through October 2016 as the “Year of Clean Water” in recognition of the 60th year of operation of the Clark County Water Reclamation District’s main water resource center.

In an effort to ensure Rhode Islanders have access to clean drinking water and to protect rivers, streams, ponds, and wetlands throughout the state and nationwide, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today voted against Republican attempts to weaken the landmark Clean Water Act by blocking the implementation of the Clean Water Rule. Reed and 40 of his colleagues beat back attempts to undermine the nation’s clean water laws by a vote of 41-57.

Councilmember Kshama Sawant, along with Julia Sterkovsky, the Executive Director of Seattle Human Services Coalition (SHSC); Patricia Hayden and Steve Daschle, the co-chairs of the Seattle Human Services Coalition (SHSC); Tim Harris, the Founder and Director of Real Change; Liz Etta, the Interim Director of the Tenants Union of Washington State; Robby Stern, the President of Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action; Katie Wilson, the General Secretary of the Transit Riders Union; Jarvis Capucion, Board Member of Seattle Housing and Resource Effort (SHARE)

Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) is pleased to announce the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation has received $6,075,000 in the fourth round of funding of the Neighborhood Initiative Program (NIP). Administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), NIP reallocates money from federal Hardest Hit Funds (HHF) to stabilize property values through the demolition of blighted homes.

The award is the first of three distinctions possible through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The program honors centers across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards’ (MD-4) amendment on stormwater planning was adopted today during debate on the House floor by voice vote. “In Maryland, particularly throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, stormwater runoff is a growing threat to water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and the integrity of our transportation infrastructure. My amendment enables transportation planning agencies to mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation and reduce costs with early planning.

“Mr. Chairman, thank you for calling today’s joint hearing on aircraft carriers, presence and surge limitations, and expanding power projection options. “In terms of power projection, technology, flexibility, and global presence, it is hard to argue that there is any stronger component of American might than the aircraft carrier. Today, aircraft carriers are deployed throughout the world, on station when and where our country needs them most.

Rather than vote to advance legislation that would severely undermine environmental protections for streams and wetlands, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he is leading a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) demanding that the agency provide clarity on agricultural exemptions and more concise guidelines on compliance in the EPA-issued clean water rules.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu joined City officials and business leaders to celebrate the completion of the $6.2 million Michoud Front Door Infrastructure Improvement Project. The project included sustainable, environmentally integrated storm water management improvements which were designed to help create additional and continued private investment in one of the city’s key recovery areas in the Michoud neighborhood.

Mayor Kasim Reed announced today that Faye DiMassimo will serve as the new General Manager for the $250 million Renew Atlanta infrastructure bond program. In this new role, DiMassimo will oversee the design, construction and completion of more than two hundred transportation and municipal facility projects, including construction of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Natatorium in the Historic Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.

Hess Corporation has agreed to pay $4.4 million over allegations that it illegally obtained reimbursements from a state fund for environmental cleanup projects at dozens of gasoline service stations throughout Massachusetts, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

The Surface Transportation bill would continue baseline funding for 6 years, but only provides funding to pay for half of that. In contrast, the Infrastructure 2.0 Act would fully fund a highway bill for 6 years at increased levels. Recently, the American Society of Engineers released their 2013 Infrastructure Report Card, grading America’s infrastructure a D+.

U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and Angus King announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded two Housing Preservation Grants to Penquis Community Action Program Inc. (Penquis CAP) and Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) to support housing rehabilitation projects in Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Knox, and Waldo Counties