Articles

Shuster and Graves Statements
Markup of H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act of 2018
May 23, 2018

Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA)
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
(Remarks as Prepared)

I am proud to be considering H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act of 2018.

This is an important milestone, because we have successfully brought back Congress’ consideration of WRDA legislation every two years.

I want to thank all Members of the Committee and staff for their hard work and willingness to work together on this important infrastructure and reform legislation.

When I took over as Chairman of this Committee, it had been seven years since Congress had considered a WRDA bill.  I made it a priority to pass a new WRDA as one of my first major pieces of legislation. 

Thanks to the commitment of our members, we enacted major WRDA reforms in both 2014 and 2016, and restored the two-year cycle.  WRDA 2018 is the next step for Congress to continue carrying out its clear Federal role in addressing the Nation’s infrastructure.

We are demonstrating that “WRDA Works.”  This is infrastructure that strengthens our global competitiveness, grows the economy, and creates jobs.

WRDA 2018 continues the tradition we established of being fiscally responsible.  It deauthorizes old projects to fully offset new authorizations, and it ensures that we maintain a right-sized Corps portfolio by sunsetting new authorizations to prevent future project backlogs.

WRDA 2018 drives more efficient project delivery to successfully build 21^st century infrastructure for America, and continues to ensure strong oversight, transparency, and accountability.

WRDA 2018 has no earmarks but still maintains strong Congressional oversight and ensures that we don’t simply hand over all our authority to the Executive Branch.

This WRDA bill builds on the reforms we have enacted and explores new ways to better deliver projects going forward.

At its heart, WRDA ensures that we don’t lose sight of the importance of a strong America through strong infrastructure.  This bill supports the nation’s water transportation and flood protection networks.  It keeps America competitive, provides a foundation for job growth, fosters a more robust economy, and protects our communities. 

I ask all members of the Committee to join me in supporting this bipartisan bill.

Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA)
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
(Remarks as Prepared)

Mr. Chairman, H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act of 2018, builds upon the successes of WRRDA 2014 and WRDA 2016 – two important policy and reform-focused pieces of legislation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

H.R. 8 is a bipartisan bill that was developed by working across the aisle to achieve the common and vital goal of investing in America’s future.

H.R. 8 contains no earmarks and strengthens our water transportation networks to promote competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth.

This bill marks a solid return to the important business of enacting a WRDA bill every two years without conceding any Congressional authority to the Executive Branch.

The Committee held numerous public roundtables and official hearings with public and private stakeholders in developing this legislation.  A common theme from these meetings has been fundamentally improving the project delivery processes of the Corps. I believe this legislation is a positive step in eliminating barriers that result in project delays.

I appreciate Mr. Shuster, Mr. DeFazio, and Ms. Napolitano’s bipartisan work to address a vital need for America’s infrastructure.  I urge all Members to support H.R. 8.