Inhofe, Boxer Praise Passage of WRDA Out of Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), ranking member of the Senate EPW Committee, praised broad bipartisan support for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 at the Senate EPW markup today. The legislation was reported out of the committee by a vote of 19 to 1.

“I applaud our committee in taking this significant step forward to improve our nation’s water infrastructure,” Inhofe said. “This bill is not only fully paid for, it prioritizes projects to improve ports and waterways for increased global competitive advantage and supports needed flood control projects that protect millions of people and billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure.  This commonsense legislation also includes both relief for communities with drinking water emergencies and nationwide support for clean water and safe drinking water infrastructure. In particular, WRDA 2016 helps small and disadvantaged communities throughout the United States who are struggling to meet Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. I applaud the tireless work of many who have made this bipartisan legislation possible, putting us back on track to enacting WRDA every two years.”

“WRDA ensures that the American people have clean drinking water, provides flood protection, maintains navigation routes, and improves wastewater infrastructure,” Boxer said. “What happened in Flint has shown us how vulnerable some our water systems are, and this bill is a perfect vehicle to upgrade our water infrastructure.  I am also proud that this bipartisan legislation includes vital support for ongoing work in California, including revitalizing the Los Angeles River, restoring the Salton Sea, and enhancing Sacramento flood control.  I thank Senator Inhofe and the other members of the EPW Committee for working together on this essential legislation.”

 

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