Biden to sign Inflation Reduction Act, Colorado River basin water cuts, more primaries on tap

President Biden is expected to sign the Inflation Reduction Act into law, hefty water restrictions could soon apply to states bordering the Colorado River as a drought hurts supply, and highly anticipated primaries in Alaska and Wyoming are set to take place. These stories are expected to grab the headlines for Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022.

Inflation Reduction Act to be signed – President Biden was expected to take a break from vacation to sign the Inflation Reduction Act into law on Tuesday. The bill narrowly passed the Senate 51-50 before being passed in the House Friday.

“The Inflation Reduction Act will lower costs for families, combat the climate crisis, reduce the deficit, and finally ask the largest corporations to pay their fair share,” the White House said Monday. “Biden and Congressional Democrats have worked together to deliver a historic legislative achievement that defeats special interests, delivers for American families, and grows the economy from the bottom up and middle out.”

Tuesday’s signing is expected to happen during a small ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House. The White House will hold a larger “celebration” of the bill’s passage next month, when Congress is back in Washington.

Colorado River drought causes water shortage – The federal government is expected to announce water cuts to states that rely on the Colorado River as an extreme drought is drying up the river and its reservoirs. A water shortage is expected to be declared along with hefty restrictions.

Seven states in the river basin are expected to be told to come up with a way to voluntarily cut up to 25% of their water usage, or the federal government will do it for them. Lake Mead is the country’s largest manmade reservoir. It is only at 27% of its full capacity.

Primary elections for Wyoming, Alaska – Voters are set to take to the polls in Alaska and Wyoming Tuesday. The expected ousting of Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), who trails her primary opponent by a wide margin, would be a victory for President Trump supporters.

“They hate her,” Trump supporter Horton Spitzer said Monday. “This is going to drive a lot of people to the polls because they just want her out. Then we can start fresh.”

In Alaska, a special primary to fill the seat of the late Rep. Don Young features the political return of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The other big race is the Senate GOP primary in which Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) takes on 18 challengers for four spots in November’s general election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.