Press Releases

The House of Representatives approved two important pieces of legislation today – the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 and the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 – as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

WRDA

WRDA is bipartisan legislation that includes projects of national, regional, and local significance which help strengthen the Nation’s global competitiveness, grow the economy, ensure the movement of goods throughout the supply chain, protect communities, and create jobs.  The bill authorizes projects carried out by the United States Army Corps of Engineers to improve ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other water resources infrastructure throughout the United States.  With the Nation continuing to deal with the impacts of a supply chain crisis, there is an urgent need to move forward projects and policies that strengthen this vital component of the transportation network.

WRDA was originally introduced in the House with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican leader Sam Graves (R-MO) and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Republican leader David Rouzer (R-NC) as original cosponsors.

“Our ports, inland waterways, and flood protection infrastructure strengthen the economy and protect our communities,” said Graves.  “Flood protection in particular is critical to my district in Missouri and many other regions, and when rivers like the Missouri and the Mississippi aren’t properly managed, it damages navigation channels for commerce and threatens people and property along the rivers.  It’s critical to make sure the Corps of Engineers doesn’t lose focus of its navigation and flood control responsibilities, and this bipartisan bill does just that.”

“The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 brings focus and priority to locally driven projects with substantial benefits to North Carolina and the entire nation to better protect life and property,” said Rouzer.  “With policies to address inland and coastal flooding, and initiatives to improve our ports and inland waterways, this critical legislation will address the unique needs of communities across the country and strengthen the entire U.S. economy.  I was proud to play a key role in the drafting of WRDA 2022 with input from my colleagues to ensure the voice of rural America and Southeastern North Carolina was heard loud and clear.”

Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act

This bipartisan legislation strengthens the U.S. Coast Guard in its critical missions to safeguard the Nation’s borders, ensure maritime safety, facilitate commerce, and stop the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the country.  The bill authorizes funding for the Coast Guard, one of our Nation’s six armed services, through fiscal year 2024 and will continue to recapitalize the Service’s cutter fleet, shoreside facilities, and information technology capabilities.  The bill includes authorizations for a twelfth National Security Cutter (NSC), six additional Fast Response Cutters (FRCs), a commercially available icebreaker, and an additional Great Lakes icebreaker.

The legislation was originally introduced in the House with T&I Committee Republican leader Sam Graves and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Republican leader Bob Gibbs (R-OH) as original cosponsors.

“The Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act ensures that this critical armed service has the resources needed to protect our borders, intercept illegal drugs and migrants, support navigation and commerce, and protect those at sea,” Graves said.  “Don Young, the late Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was a longtime champion of the Coast Guard, and it’s fitting that Congress has named this measure in his honor.”

“Given the unique nature of the Coast Guard’s missions and multiple crises the United States is confronting, I am glad the Coast Guard Authorization Act was included in this year’s NDAA,” said Gibbs.  “It is essential Congress provides the Coast Guard with the funding, equipment, and training needed to keep our country safe.  The men and women of the Coast Guard are critical to our national security as they are part of the ‘front lines’ in border security and drug interdiction.  Their efforts in port security and maritime safety play a large role in ensuring safe American commerce and maritime activity.  Our bipartisan efforts will help the Coast Guard maintain the readiness necessary in these troubling times of international turmoil.”