Senate Passes Water Resources Development Act

The Senate passed the hallmark water resources legislation, commonly referred to as the WRDA bill, by a vote of 91 to 4. This legislation authorizes important U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waterways and natural resources programs, including seven lock and dam modernization projects on the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway, and the Bayou Sorrel and the Matagorda Bay re-route project on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The passage of this bill by a majority of the Senate underscores the important work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. And, the action reflects the benefits of the inland waterways system and its role in keeping the Nation economically competitive. The WRDA bill will also help to improve our ports, flood and hurricane protection systems, and restore critically important ecosystems.