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Water Infrastructure Bill is a Win for AmericaHouse Passes WIIN Act, Including Water Resources Development Act
The House of Representatives today approved comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation that addresses the needs of America’s harbors, locks, dams, flood protection, and other water resources infrastructure. The House passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act on a bipartisan basis by a vote of 360 to 61, sending the bill to the Senate. The House of Representatives today approved comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation that addresses the needs of America’s harbors, locks, dams, flood protection, and other water resources infrastructure. The House passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act on a bipartisan basis by a vote of 360 to 61, sending the bill to the Senate. A key component of the WIIN Act is Title I of the legislation, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, which authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake port, waterway, and flood protection improvements across the country. “Without question, this infrastructure legislation is a win for America,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA). “I am proud that today, as one of the final acts of this Congress, the House voted to invest in our country. The improvements in the WIIN Act are critical regional priorities, like the long-overdue upgrades for the Upper Ohio River’s Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery locks and dams, but they also provide significant national economic benefits. An efficient transportation network is what makes our economy run, and ensuring America’s water infrastructure is brought into the 21st century will grow the economy, strengthen our competitiveness, and create jobs.” Shuster continued, “I want to thank Chairman Gibbs and my colleagues on the Transportation Committee, as well as Chairman Upton and the Energy and Commerce Committee, Chairman Bishop and the Natural Resources Committee, our House Leadership, and our Senate counterparts for their hard work on this comprehensive legislation. I strongly urge the Senate to pass this legislation and send it to the President.” “When Chairman Shuster and I worked to reform the way the Army Corps studies and completes water projects in 2014’s WRRDA, we also wanted to put water resources legislation on a regular two-year schedule,” said Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH). “This provides certainty and confidence to the private sector, which relies on free and open water navigation to stay in business. The WIIN Act promotes transparency and fiscal responsibility while making the necessary investments in water transportation infrastructure.” Gibbs added, “I thank my colleagues for voting for this economically important legislation and I thank Chairman Shuster for his leadership and partnership on WRDA.” Click here for more information about the WIIN Act. |