The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, included as title I of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021), was signed into law yesterday. The new law provides the needed authorization for investment in harbor, waterway, flood protection, and other water infrastructure improvements throughout the country.
As noted in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee press release:
“I am proud of the fact that our Committee, the House, and the Senate have worked together to send bipartisan WRDA legislation to the president in each of the last three congresses,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA). “These laws are essential federal commitments to improving the harbors, ports, waterways, locks, dams, and other water infrastructure that makes our transportation network more efficient, the country competitively stronger, and our communities safer from flooding.”
“Passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 is a win for our Nation’s coastal communities,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR). “This critical legislation authorizes water infrastructure projects developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will strengthen our ports, harbors, and waterways, and will create and sustain jobs. This bill is the product of a strong bipartisan, bicameral effort and I applaud my House and Senate colleagues for their hard work to get this legislation signed into law. In particular, I want to thank Chairman Shuster who is retiring and under whose leadership we have passed a WRDA bill every two years.”
In contrast to this wordier press release, the White House had very little to say.
But at the end of the day, this is now three WRDAs in the past six years, continuing the effort of each Congress to pass a WRDA since 2014. In speaking with House and Senate staff, they all appear dedicated to keeping this trend going in the next Congress. But, we will need to wait and see.
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