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Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer Helps Pass Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) played a key role in the passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) through the House with a unanimous bipartisan voice vote. As a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Finkenauer helped develop the legislation, which authorizes funding and policy direction for the nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. The legislation aims to enhance the economic productivity of waterways and protect the vitality of communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) was passed by the House on a bipartisan voice vote, with Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) playing a key role in its development.
  • WRDA authorizes funding and policy direction for the nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure.
  • The legislation aims to enhance the economic productivity of waterways and protect the vitality of communities, with a focus on benefiting rural and middle-class communities.
  • Finkenauer secured updates to the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when evaluating flood control and mitigation projects, to ensure that additional societal benefits are considered.
  • The legislation also contains provisions to cut red tape and increase efficiency for communities working with the Corps on flood control projects.
  • WRDA provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out water resources development projects and studies, as well as reforms and policy direction for implementation of its civil works missions.
  • The Committee marked up this legislation on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, as part of a broader effort to reform the Corps' policies and functions.

Statistics:

  • The Water Resources Development Act of 2020 authorizes 35 Corps feasibility studies and construction of all 34 pending proposed projects with final Chief's Reports within the Corps Civil Works mission areas.
  • WRDA 2020 increases the federal cost-share for projects on inland waterways systems to 65% to facilitate project completion and maintain the future efficient construction of important inland navigation projects like locks and dams on the Mississippi River.
  • The legislation provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out water resources development projects and studies, as well as reforms and policy direction for implementation of its civil works missions.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer (IA-01) WASHINGTON, DC
  • MIL OSI USA News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/) - Copyright 2020 Multimedia Investments Ltd, distributed by Contify.com

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