WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), released the following statement on the House’s passage of H.R. 7575, Water Resources Development Act of 2020. 

“The House just passed a bipartisan water infrastructure bill,” said Barrasso. “The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has unanimously reported legislation to improve our dams, ports, flood-prevention infrastructure, and reservoirs. America’s Water Infrastructure Act will help create good jobs and get our economy back on track. I look forward to working with the House on legislation we can send to the president’s desk to upgrade our water infrastructure and help the American people.” 

Background Information:

On May 6, 2020, EPW unanimously passed America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 (AWIA 2020) and the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020. 

On April 21, 2020, Barrasso, and EPW Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE), as well as Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Mike Cramer (R-ND), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released draft bills of AWIA 2020 and the Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020. 

AWIA 2020 provides roughly $17 billion in new federal authorizations to invest in our infrastructure through projects and programs across the country. It also cuts red tape by setting a two-year goal for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to complete its feasibility studies for potential projects, consistent with the standard set by President Trump, and encourages the adoption of Corps categorical exclusions by other agencies to accelerate project delivery. 

The Drinking Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 reauthorizes Safe Drinking Water Act programs that support drinking water infrastructure and provide resources and technical assistance to communities facing critical drinking water needs.

 

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