United States House Special Committee on Water Power
Encyclopedia
The Special Committee on Water Power was a special committee of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 65th and 66th Congresses. It was established on January 11, 1918.
had failed in its attempts to pass legislation authorizing the building of dam
s on navigable streams. At the time, the Secretaries of War
, Interior
, and Agriculture
all had authority over some aspect of the issue. The three secretaries joined together in drafting a water power bill for consideration by Congress. In the House, jurisdiction over the bill was split. The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce had jurisdiction over bills regarding construction of bridges and dams over navigable waters within the several states, the Committee on Public Lands had jurisdiction over dams on public lands, and the Committee on Agriculture
had jurisdiction over those on forest reserve
s. To prevent the Secretaries' bill from being fragmented among committees, the special committee was created, drawing its members from the three standing committees. The committee was renewed in the 66th Congress (1919-21) and expired in 1921.
Jurisdiction
The special committee was assigned jurisdiction over all bills and resolutions involving development or utilization of water power within the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
History
For several years, CongressUnited States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
had failed in its attempts to pass legislation authorizing the building of dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s on navigable streams. At the time, the Secretaries of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
, Interior
United States Secretary of the Interior
The United States Secretary of the Interior is the head of the United States Department of the Interior.The US Department of the Interior should not be confused with the concept of Ministries of the Interior as used in other countries...
, and Agriculture
United States Secretary of Agriculture
The United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 20 January 2009. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other...
all had authority over some aspect of the issue. The three secretaries joined together in drafting a water power bill for consideration by Congress. In the House, jurisdiction over the bill was split. The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce had jurisdiction over bills regarding construction of bridges and dams over navigable waters within the several states, the Committee on Public Lands had jurisdiction over dams on public lands, and the Committee on Agriculture
United States House Committee on Agriculture
The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, or Agriculture Committee is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. The House Committee on Agriculture has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of some federal agencies, and it can recommend funding...
had jurisdiction over those on forest reserve
United States National Forest
National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas...
s. To prevent the Secretaries' bill from being fragmented among committees, the special committee was created, drawing its members from the three standing committees. The committee was renewed in the 66th Congress (1919-21) and expired in 1921.