The American Soybean Association (ASA) congratulates Congress for final passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes much-needed improvements to waterways that are vital to the transport of U.S. soybeans. Today, the Senate voted 79-14 to override the President’s veto of WRDA. Late Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted 361-54 to override the President’s veto.

"Soybean growers appreciate the persistence of the Senate and House because the Water Resources Development Act is key to soybean sales," said ASA President John Hoffman, a soybean grower from Waterloo, Iowa. "U.S. waterways are the most economical and environmentally friendly way to move U.S. soybeans to domestic and foreign markets."

More than 75 percent of U.S. soybean exports move to world ports through the Upper Mississippi and Illinois river systems. WRDA legislation will authorize funding for construction of seven new locks and other critical improvements on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers.

"On behalf of our grower-members, ASA and its 25 state soybean affiliates have been working in Washington for many years to improve our nation's waterways," Hoffman said. "Although these authorized projects must still be funded through the annual federal appropriations process, we are very pleased that this major step has been accomplished."

More than 50 percent of U.S. locks and dams have aged beyond their life cycle and many are crumbling. In addition, many are unable to handle today’s barges that are twice as long as when the system was built in the 1930s. Because many barges must be split, higher transportation costs, lower commodity prices and fewer international sales for U.S. farmers occur.