Dear Chairman DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauds the bipartisan approach taken by your Committee in advance of tomorrow’s markup of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020. Reauthorization of America’s water resources programs is critical to economic growth and environmental stewardship, and we support this legislation.
WRDA would ensure the viability of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works programs including navigation, flood risk management, recreation, and associated environmental infrastructure. Enactment of this bill would provide critical economic and environmental benefits to the United States.
Reauthorizing these programs prior to their September 30 expiration would provide the certainty of federal commitment needed to allow state, local, and private partners to move forward with needed planning and construction of modern, resilient infrastructure. These important water projects would bring economic benefits to both rural and urban regions.
The Chamber also applauds the inclusion of 34 new project authorizations, additional provisions to ensure modern, resilient infrastructure, improvements in water supply delivery, and increased investment from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, a long-time priority of both your Committee and the Chamber.
With less than three months until the current authorization expires, the Chamber is pleased that House leadership anticipates floor consideration of the bill later this month. We appreciate your Committee moving promptly to ensure timely action on these critical issues.
Sincerely,
Neil L. Bradley
cc: Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
