Yesterday, the House passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA) by a vote of 417 – 3. This bipartisan legislation will reform the way our country builds and maintains crucial ports and waterways while cutting federal red tape, increasing fiscal responsibility, and reducing the need for bureaucratic involvement. WRRDA will improve important transportation networks to ensure America’s competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth.
“At its heart, WRRDA is about jobs and improving America’s competitiveness,” said Chairman Shuster. “A strong water transportation network is critical to keeping pace with other nations that are improving their own infrastructure networks and gaining ground in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.”
WRRDA authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop, maintain, and support the Nation’s vital port and waterways infrastructure needs, and to provide effective and targeted flood protection and environmental restoration needs. Congress historically has passed such legislation every two years, but no bill has been signed into law since 2007 making the passing of this bill very crucial for our country.
The passage of WWRDA will spur the creation of American jobs, lay foundations for sustained economic growth, and provide strategic investments to develop a 21st century water infrastructure network.
For more information on these historic water resources and infrastructure reforms, visit the Committee’s website and information page: http://transportation.house.gov/WRRDA.
