House Action Expected on WRDA in September

Late last week, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) announced his intention to release and mark up a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill in September. The chairman also expected the bill to reach the House floor in October. AGC has actively advocated for sufficient investment to maintain and improve our nation’s flood control, inland waterway, and marine port systems, as well as to complete environmental restoration projects. In addition, AGC continues to fight for a WRDA bill that streamlines decades of laws and regulations that delay projects before construction begins, dedicates Harbor Maintenance Tax revenues for harbor maintenance and leverages with private funds, but does not replace public dollars with private for building water infrastructure. The Senate overwhelmingly passed its version a WRDA bill by an 83 to 14 vote in May.  If the House passes a WRDA bill, a conference committee comprised of members from both chambers will commence to reconcile the differences between the bills before final passage. AGC will continue to press for enactment of a WRDA bill that includes the construction industry’s priorities, as mentioned above. For more information, please contact Jimmy Christianson at (703)-837-5325 or christiansonj@agc.org.