Congresswoman Matsui Leads Bipartisan Letter Calling on House Leadership to Appoint Conferees on WRRDA Legislation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 4, 2013
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Leads Bipartisan Letter Calling on House Leadership to Appoint Conferees on WRRDA Legislation
House and Senate versions of the bill include Congressional authorization of NLIP and Rep. Matsui's vegetation on levees legislation
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) led a letter to House leadership calling on them to appoint conferees and move forward with a conference committee on H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA).
On October 23, the House of Representatives passed WRRDA with a vote of 417 to 3. This legislation would authorize flood protection projects across the nation; and at Congresswoman Matsui's urging, includes several of the Sacramento region's primary flood protection priorities including authorization of the Natomas Levee Improvement Project (NLIP). In May, the Senate passed their bipartisan water resources bill by a vote of 83-14. The next step in the process is for both the House and the Senate to appoint conferees and the bill to go to a conference committee to reconcile the House and Senate versions.
30 Members signed onto the letter. A PDF copy of the signed letter is available here.
The full text of the letter is below:
November 4, 2013
The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker
United States House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Democrat Leader
United States House of Representatives
H-204, The Capitol
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
Dear Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi,
We are writing to express our support for the House of Representatives to appoint conferees, so that work can continue towards a bi-cameral water resources development bill.
The enactment of a water resources development bill is of vital importance to the economic well-being our nation. America must have a strong waterways system in order to be competitive in the global marketplace. On October 23, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act by a vote of 417 to 3. This bill makes necessary changes to our ports, harbors, and our inland waterways system. It also makes fundamental reforms to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers planning and project delivery process, and strengthens Congressional oversight of projects. The water resources development legislation authorizes environmental restoration, hydropower, flood and dam safety projects, and ensures that our nation's levees, that protect our local communities from devastating floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, bill be repaired and maintained.
Traditionally, Congress passes a water resources bill every two years. However, Congress has not acted since 2007. It is time to reform and strengthen America's waterways and infrastructure. In May the Senate passed their bi-partisan water resources bill by a vote of 83-14. There is strong bipartisan/bicameral support for this legislation, and we respectfully urge you to appoint conferees and allow the legislative process to continue as quickly as possible. We appreciate your consideration of our request.
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