Proposed legislation provides for improvements to nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks and dams.
Congress will consider the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 next week.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., made the announcement Thursday. They said H.R. 8 is bipartisan legislation that provides for improvements to the nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration and other water resources infrastructure.
The bill authorizes proposed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works activities and builds upon Corps reforms provided under successful WRDA legislation in recent Congresses, they said.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure unanimously approved H.R. 8 on May 23.
“WRDA works by investing in infrastructure that is critical to improving America’s competitiveness, strengthening our economy and protecting our communities,” Shuster said. “Moving the many products we buy on a daily basis, getting goods we farm and manufacture to markets across the country and around the world and protecting our communities from flooding all depend on effective water resources infrastructure.”
McCarthy added, “This bill will increase our nation’s resiliency against natural disasters and facilitate the flow of commerce by authorizing Corps projects on ports, dams and other water infrastructure.”
Shuster and McCarthy said the bill:
• Authorizes locally driven, but nationally vital, investments in our nation’s water resources infrastructure.
• Strengthens economic growth and competitiveness, helps move goods throughout the country and abroad and protects our communities.
• Follows the transparent process Congress established under the 2014 reforms for considering proposed Army Corps of Engineers activities.
• Builds upon previous reforms of the Corps to further accelerate the process for moving projects forward more efficiently and at lower cost.
• Upholds Congress’ constitutional duty to provide for infrastructure and facilitate commerce for the nation.
Additional information about the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 is available here.
House diving into water bill next week
