WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Tom Carper (D-DE) released the following statements on Congress passing the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020). The legislation was included in the omnibus. The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 91 to 7. The bill will now go to President Trump to be signed into law.

“Congress has passed significant bipartisan legislation to improve our dams, ports, flood-prevention infrastructure, reservoirs, and water systems,” said Barrasso. “The Water Resources Development Act will get our economy moving again. It will help ensure American-made goods are shipped safely from the heartland, to the coasts, and around the world. The Water Resources Development Act will keep communities safe and cut red tape. I am thankful to Ranking Member Carper for his partnership, and I look forward to President Trump signing the Water Resources Development Act into law.”

“The Water Resources Development Act of 2020 will pave the way for $10 billion in new federal investments to enhance, expand and build new water infrastructure projects across the country,” said Carper. “These water infrastructure projects – all developed, constructed and maintained by the Corps – are the little-known projects with big impacts. From expanding port operations to rebuilding our shorelines threatened by rising sea levels, these new water infrastructure projects will have real economic and environmental benefits for the communities in which they’re built. They keep our communities safe and our economy moving. I thank Chairman Barrasso for his partnership over the years to improve America’s water infrastructure.”

Barrasso and Carper serve as chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW).

The language of WRDA 2020 was negotiated by Barrasso, Carper, Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO). The Water Resources Development Act of 2020 supports our nation’s economic competitiveness by increasing water storage, providing protection from dangerous floodwaters, deepening nationally significant ports, maintaining the navigability of inland waterways, and addressing the threat of invasive species across the country. The legislation also cuts red tape, is fiscally responsible, and strengthens our national security.

Background Information:

On December 8, 2020, the House of Representatives passed WRDA 2020 by voice vote.

On April 21, 2020, Barrasso, Carper, Capito, and Cardin released draft bills of America’s Water Infrastructure Act 2020.

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

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