House OKs Water Infrastructure Bill, Teeing Up Senate Vote
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A comprehensive water infrastructure bill with strong bipartisan backing is inching closer to the finish line.
In the closing days of Congress’ post-election lame-duck session, members of the House of Representatives easily approved the final version of the “Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act” of 2024.
The biennial bipartisan bill — essential for improving supply chain connectivity — is designed to fund new projects and upgrade existing programs along the nation’s waterways specific to ports, dams and canals.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) is the bill’s lead sponsor with Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
“This WRDA delivers critical water resource infrastructure improvements for communities across America — from ports to levees to navigation channels, and more,” Graves said soon after the bill’s Dec. 10 passage in the House by a vote of 399-18. “The bill also makes reforms at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to streamline processes, reduce cumbersome red tape, and get projects done faster. This legislation also keeps Congress on the schedule of regularly passing WRDA improvements and reforms every two years.”
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Additionally, the legislation would strengthen federal economic development programs while improving management of government facilities and taxpayer resources, Graves said.
“In the Pacific Northwest and across the country, investments in ports, harbors and inland waterways support good-paying jobs and are key to long-term economic growth,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the committee’s ranking member. “WRDA 2024 creates good-paying jobs across the country by building on our committee’s bipartisan tradition to improve our nation’s water resources.”
Overall, the legislation would approve projects under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps for flood mitigation, waterways restoration and port improvements. The bill would require a series of environmental review studies and reports about project delivery methodology. Additionally, it would direct federal agencies to examine the implementation of funds and the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the effectiveness of certain provisions following the bill’s enactment.
Nearly two dozen newly approved projects would be authorized under the bill. These include a $100 million flood risk management operation at the Tar-Pamlico River Basin in North Carolina and a $79 million coastal storm risk management program in Baltimore.
The House-passed measure’s Senate consideration has yet to be scheduled. Aides with knowledge of the bill’s timing told Transport Topics a vote is expected prior to Congress’ adjournment Dec. 20.
Carper
Carper, its co-lead sponsor, touted the measure: “Altogether, this package will drive our nation’s job growth, invest in American water infrastructure and supply chains, and protect our communities in the face of extreme weather. I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate for their hard work.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), the EPW panel’s ranking member, pointed to the potential for supply chain improvements. “This bill will move our country forward by bolstering our infrastructure and strengthening our economy,” she said, adding, “I’m proud of the agreement that we reached with our House colleagues and I look forward to voting for this bill in the following weeks.”
Stakeholders calling on Congress to clear the bill this year explained investments in water infrastructure projects will assist regional economies. American Trucking Associations supports provisions in the bill to redistribute unused Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act funds, according to the federation’s Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom.
Hanscom
“The excessive funding provided to TIFIA over the years has created significant volatility in state transportation budgets and prevents states from maximizing the federal dollars provided by Congress through [the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act],” Hanscom said.
The American Association of Port Authorities separately expressed support this month, telling policymakers that the bill would strengthen “our nation’s infrastructure and keep commerce flowing through our federal navigation channels.”
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