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Jan 24, 2013
As Committees hold their organizational meetings and announce their agendas for this session of Congress, there have been some positive indications for the potential for action on waterways infrastructure – a longstanding priority for ASA.
During the organizational meeting of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, new Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), indicated that improving water infrastructure will be a top priority for the committee this year. Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), chairman of the House T&I Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, has a strong agricultural background and has been focused on the country's ports and inland waterways.
On the Senate side, Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) began work on a draft Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill last fall and has indicated it will be the first bill marked up by the Committee this year.
The WRDA funds waterways infrastructure, including locks and dams, but is overdue for reauthorization. Larger fiscal issues continue to present the primary challenge and enactment of a bill that addresses and adequately funds the significant waterways infrastructure needs remains a tall order in this fiscal and political climate.
