Circle of Blue - Speaking of Water | Will Congress Defy Trump on Water Infrastructure Spending?

President Donald Trump has proposed a nearly 90 percent cut to the two funds that are the primary source of federal support for drinking water and sewer systems. The state revolving funds, which loan money at below market or zero-interest rates, have traditionally attracted bipartisan support, and Congress has objected to previous administrations that suggested trimming the program. With Trump in the White House, how will the Republican-led Congress respond this time? To address that question, Circle of Blue’s Brett Walton spoke with Mae Stevens, partner and water practice lead at Banner Public Affairs, a lobbying firm. A veteran of D.C. water policy, Stevens said that lawmakers could follow their accustomed path and buck the president’s recommendation to gut the funds. Returning the funds to their current level of more than $2.7 billion would be the goal. But with such a large proposed cut the negotiations will not be easy. “If you’re of the same party, you’re looking at your president’s budget saying ‘I don’t want to stray too much from the leader of my party,’” she said. “But at the same time, we do need more water infrastructure funding.”