S.2039 UPDATE

Update: Bill to Allow Levee Construction on FEMA Buy-out, Deed-Restricted Land

The bill, S. 2039, has been pulled from consideration on the House floor as of July 17, 2012! The bill was in the line-up of bills to be considered under “Suspension of the Rules” which is a procedure designed for non-controversial bills and requires a 2/3 vote for passage. ASFPM and other organizations, in one day, were able to raise enough questions about the policy ramifications of the bill and about the appropriateness of considering it under Suspension that its primary House sponsor decided to pull it from the line-up mid-afternoon on Tuesday, July 17. Among the groups expressing concerns were: National Wildlife Federation, American Rivers, The Nature Conservancy, Taxpayers for Common Sense, the R Street Institute (a conservative think tank) and various other organizations which participate in the SmarterSafer Coalition. Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter to all House Members Tuesday morning.

There is some speculation that the bill will be re-scheduled for consideration by the House, possibly as early as next week.
Stay tuned.