Washington was shocked this week when James T. Hodgkinson opened fire at the Republican Congressional baseball team's practice field. Five people were injured in the shooting, including Congressman Steve Scalise. He remains in critical condition.
The Senate continues to work on its version of the American Health Care Act. However, the public, along with the majority of senators, have not seen the bill. The text is being drafted by a group of 13 Republican senators behind closed doors.
There were several important hearings in Congress this week that are relevant to the Mississippi River Basin. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Among other topics, he discussed the importance of agricultural research and the need to support it in the budget process. Administrator of the EPA Scott Pruitt testified before the House Appropriations Committee. Pruitt discussed rumors that the EPA's Region 5 Office, which covers a substantial portion of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, would close. He flatly denied that there were any plans to close the office.
