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US Senate approves crucial water infrastructure bill

WRDA 2024 passes with overwhelming bipartisan support, promising improvements to inland waterways vital for agricultural exports.

United States Congress

The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly approved the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) with a near-unanimous vote of 97-1. This biennial legislation, which funds critical water-related infrastructure projects nationwide under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' supervision, has been hailed as a significant win for America's grain and feed industry.

Key points of the bill include:

  1. Smart adjustments to cost-share provisions for construction and major rehabilitation of inland waterway infrastructure
  2. Continued support for the Columbia River System and Lower Snake River Dams, crucial for U.S. agricultural exports
  3. Bipartisan commitment to modernizing America's waterways

Mike Seyfert, President and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), expressed gratitude for the bill's passage, emphasizing its importance to the agricultural supply chain. "Barges transport about half of all grains to export grain elevators, and modern ports and efficient inland locks and dams are essential to maintaining America's comparative infrastructure advantage," Seyfert stated.

The bill, which passed the House of Representatives last week with a 399-18 vote, now awaits the President's signature to become law. Industry leaders are calling on the next Congress and incoming administration to build on these efforts, with hopes for additional support for key projects designated in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in future WRDA bills.

This legislation underscores the critical role of water infrastructure in maintaining U.S. agricultural competitiveness and highlights the potential for bipartisan cooperation on issues vital to the nation's economic interests.

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