Movement on a top AGC priority occurred this week as Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) held a hearing a new Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) on May 6, 2011. AGC Past Federal and Heavy Construction Division Chairman Mitch White of Manson Construction Co. in Long Beach, California, called on Congress to pass a new WRDA bill on schedule to meet the nation's economic, safety and transportation needs.
WRDA reaffirms the government's pledge to authorize, modify, and improve projects, programs, and policies protecting the nation from floods and keeping our waterways open to navigation. Regular authorizations of water resources development projects fulfill these important missions. AGC's testimony stressed that waterways programs foster economic development, facilitate trade and commerce, aid international competitiveness, stimulate employment, provide water recreation opportunities, enhance agricultural and industrial productivity, and augment our national defense. In addition, a new WRDA bill would serve as a key component of turning around the severe unemployment in the construction industry, which is currently hovering at 25 percent.
AGC is continuing to work with water resources and infrastructure investment champions in Congress to support passage of the legislation in the 111th Congress. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) has also stated his commitment to passing this important water infrastructure authorization in a timely manner.
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