Senate Passes Water Resources Development Act

Press Release

SENATE PASSES WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT

The United States Senate today passed a Senate-House conference report of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The legislation passed the Senate on May 16, but due to changes made to the original House bill, it was sent to a conference of Senate and House negotiators. The new version of the legislation has now been approved by both the Senate and the House and will be sent to the President.

Congress authorizes specific Army Corps of Engineers projects in WRDA, including studies, before appropriating funds to them. Congress has not completed a WRDA since 2000.

"Passage of WRDA is long overdue," said Senator Murkowski. "I applaud the members of the House and Senate Conference Committees for acting on this bill so that we can finally appropriate funds for critical infrastructure projects across the country."

"By authorizing funding for two dozen projects in Alaska, this legislation will help develop our state's essential infrastructure. From remote villages to some of our larger communities, thousands of Alaskans will benefit from the passage of this bill. I join Senator Murkowski in strongly supporting WRDA being signed into law," said Senator Stevens.

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