Rep. Schneider Measures to Strengthen the Great Lakes and Increase Infrastructure Efficiency Pass U.S. House

Press Release

The U.S. House approved two measures offered by U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which today passed the House by a vote of 417-3.

Schneider's first amendment requires reporting and recommendations to Congress to help reduce the Army Corps of Engineers' infrastructure project backlog. Reducing the current backlog will allow the Army Corps to move forward with planning and construction on pending projects. There are currently 23 authorized Army Corps projects in the Tenth District, including in Waukegan, Libertyville, Glencoe, Northbrook, Highland Park, Zion, Lake Forest, Mettawa and Des Plaines.

The second, offered with Reps. Betty McCollum (MN-4), Mike Kelly (PA-03) and Dan Lipinski (IL-3), strengthens protections for the Great Lakes against invasive species by developing a coordinated national strategy to slow the spread of Asian carp.

"We depend on the Great Lakes not only for commerce and recreation, but for everyday essentials like clean, fresh drinking water," Schneider said "We must be diligent in preserving their natural beauty and protecting them from harm, supporting our ports and waterways that facilitate millions of dollars in commerce every day and preventing the harmful influx of invasive species. Critical infrastructure projects, like dredging at Waukegan Harbor, are important to ensuring the clear and safe passage of cargo while providing a much-needed boost to our local economy. That's why I was proud to join with my colleagues to include two amendments that would expedite the construction of critical infrastructure projects while working to protect our Great Lakes."

To see video of Schneider's speech in support of WRRDA, click here.

The WRRDA authorization also includes language that Schneider supports to ensure that a portion of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is provided annually to small harbors, such as Waukegan Harbor, and to ensure that the Great Lakes is classified as one continuous system rather than individual ports, which allows for greater federal investment in infrastructure and job creation.

Schneider is a champion for protecting the Great Lakes. In July, Schneider spoke out against proposed cuts to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. He also offered a measure that would safeguard the Great Lakes from oil and gas drilling. To view video of Schneider's speech on that measure, click here.

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