Passage of H.R. 3080, the bipartisan Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2013, in the House of Representatives on October 23 was met with optimism by manufacturers who are pleased to see Congress getting back to the business of the nation and focusing on legislation that creates jobs and opportunities for economic growth.
H.R. 3080 will ensure continued investment in our inland waterways, ports and harbors and other critical water resources projects that help keep manufacturers competitive. The bill will streamline federal agency environmental reviews and enhance delivery of key infrastructure projects supported by the Army Corps of Engineers and direct additional funding levels from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for harbor maintenance dredging.
The Senate passed S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), with strong bipartisan support in May, and a conference committee to reconcile both versions is expected to be announced in the days ahead.
For more information, click here for a recent Member Focus article about manufacturers’ infrastructure priorities.