U.S. Reps. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) and Sam Graves (MO-06) applaud House passage of the bicameral agreement to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) that updates our nation’s water infrastructure which is critical to states like Missouri where waterways and ports help support nearly 25,000 jobs and contributes $4 billion to the state’s economy. 

The WRRDA legislation streamlines the project delivery process, promotes fiscal responsibility, and strengthens water transportation networks to promote competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth.  WRRDA contains no earmarks and makes major reforms to increase transparency, accountability, and congressional oversight in reviewing and prioritizing future water resources development activities. The bill also authorizes the key missions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including flood prevention and navigation projects.

“The approval of this agreement ensures that we will have a transparent, result-based strategy for mitigation on the Missouri River while ensuring that our river communities including residents, business and municipalities are able to utilize Missouri River waters without being charged by the federal government,” Luetkemeyer said. “I am extremely pleased that Congressman Graves and I have been able to work on behalf of so many Missourians who rely on the river and we now have in place a real opportunity to make these substantive changes to management of the Missouri River that will strengthen our country’s infrastructure for years to come.”

After the House legislation was originally passed on October 23, 2013, a conference committee consisting of Republicans and Democrats from both the House and Senate was convened to reconcile differences between their two versions of the water resources legislation.  Last week, House and Senate conferees reached agreement on a final measure, which must be approved by both Houses of Congress in order to send the bill to the President to be signed into law.

“Having efficient water infrastructure is critical to a healthy economy.  Passing WRRDA means jobs, trade, competitiveness, and economic development for Missouri and America.  I am pleased with the agreement we reached with the Senate and with today’s final vote in the House.  This was a bipartisan effort, and for the most part this bill will do its job,” Congressman Graves said.  “One of the key concerns I heard at our field hearing last year in St. Joseph was with the way the Corps currently acquires land.  The Corps should not needlessly buy up land without having an expressed purpose for doing so.  This is a longstanding problem that Congressman Luetkemeyer and I have worked together to solve for several years, and which is addressed in this bill.”

Graves and Luetkemeyer successfully included language in the House legislation ensuring the Corps of Engineers has a clear, results-based strategy for mitigation on the Missouri River.