Today, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly (412 to 4) approved the bipartisan Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014. PNWA previously reported on the Conference Report, released last week, which included many positive items for the Pacific Northwest. The measure will now go to the Senate, where it is expected to be passed on Thursday and then moved to the President to be signed. 

In the official press release from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the leadership celebrated the progress of the bill.  "This legislation supports our water transportation network to keep our Nation competitive, improve the flow of commerce, and provide a foundation for job growth," Chairman Bill Shuster said.  "WRRDA is also the most policy and reform-focused measure of its kind in decades, and the most fiscally responsible water resources bill in history.  It cuts red tape, reforms the federal bureaucracy, accelerates project delivery, and more than fully offsets authorizations for needed infrastructure improvements by deauthorizing unnecessary, outdated projects.  This is legislation that's good for the economy, good for jobs, and good for America."

"This bipartisan jobs bill will revitalize our inland waterway system so that bulk commodities such as West Virginia coal can be transported more efficiently," said Ranking Member Nick Rahall.  "Critically, this bill expands the Buy America requirements placed on future Army Corp projects, ensuring that more of our Nation's infrastructure is made in America by Americans.  This provision in particular further defines this legislation as being about jobs-jobs to construct flood control projects, jobs to expand our harbors, jobs to make improvements to our waterways-and American jobs in the production of the iron and steel that goes into these works."

"WRRDA will ensure that America maintains and expands upon our competitive advantage, not just today but in the years to come," said Congressman Bob Gibbs.  "This WRRDA is unlike any previous bill passed by Congress.  The reforms we have made are unprecedented and will provide a layout for future WRRDA bills to come.  We wrote this bill without compromising our key principles: maintaining fiscal responsibility, streamlining studies and reviews of projects, removing all earmarks and maintaining Congress' role in determining our Nation's infrastructure projects.  At its core, WRRDA is a bipartisan bill and will ensure that American maintains its navigable waterways for the future."

"Investment in our water and wastewater infrastructure is essential to the health of our communities, both economically and environmentally," said Congressman Rob Bishop.  "This legislation will create well-paying jobs in the construction industry, help us create a more sustainable infrastructure system, and allow us to better protect our coastlines from future storms like Superstorm Sandy.  It also serves as an example of the good we can accomplish by setting aside partisan differences and working together toward a common goal."

PNWA staff are in Washington D.C. this week and will discussing the bill with the delegation and other federal partners.