WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, Congress passed S. 3021, America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. America's Water Infrastructure Act is the most sweeping infrastructure package to be passed this Congress. As chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) was the lead Senate author of the bill.
The bipartisan legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 99 to 1. The bill will now go to the president to be signed into law.
What They Are Saying About the Legislation:
“The measure stands as Congress' most significant accomplishment on infrastructure under the Trump administration so far and follows through on leaders' vow to return water infrastructure bills to a two-year cycle." (Senate Sends WRDA Bill to President Trump, Politico 10/10/18)
“Congress has approved a sprawling bill to improve the nation's ports, dams and harbors, protect against floods, restore shorelines and support other water-related projects." (Congress Approves Massive Water-Projects Bill, Associated Press 10/10/18)
“A water infrastructure bill shepherded by Sen. John Barrasso passed by a vote of 99-1 on Wednesday, a significant bipartisan victory in a session overshadowed by partisan headlines." (Barrasso Spearheads Major Water Infrastructure Bill, Casper Star Tribune 10/10/18)
“Barrasso, who chairs that committee, was a key voice behind its passage and negotiated a reciprocal bill in the House of Representatives in September. Widely applauded, the bill fulfills numerous obligations to communities vulnerable to storms and natural disasters as well as tribal communities, with numerous provisions tailored directly to the tribes…" (Barrasso Spearheads Major Water Infrastructure Bill, Casper Star Tribune 10/10/18)
“America's Water Infrastructure Act, the most comprehensive infrastructure legislation passed this Congress, will authorize over $6 billion in federal spending on ports, harbors and waterways." (Trump Poised to Sign Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Bill, The Hill 10/10/18)
“The bill authorizes billions of dollars for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fund that provides money to improve drinking water infrastructure at the state level. It also extends a federal program aimed at improving the drinking water in Flint, Mich. It also includes a provision that requires the government to prioritize low-income communities for lead testing programs." (Trump Poised to Sign Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Bill, The Hill 10/10/18)
“The bill's passage…is another exception to the rule of Washington gridlock, marking the second major policy success in two weeks." (Barrasso Spearheads Major Water Infrastructure Bill, Casper Star Tribune 10/10/18)
“It would also reauthorize the Safe Drinking Water Act for the first time in two decades..." (Senate Sends WRDA Bill to President Trump, Politico 10/10/18)
“The Senate passed legislation on Wednesday that would authorize billions of dollars in spending for waterway and safe water projects, and sent it to President Trump for his signature." (Senate Sends $10.5 Billion Water Resource Bill to Trump, Washington Examiner 10/10/18)
“The Senate on Wednesday cleared, 99-1, a bill to authorize $6.1 billion for construction of 12 new Army Corps of Engineers projects, as well as authorize other water and hydropower programs." (Water Resources Bill Clears Senate, Heads to Trump, CQ News 10/10/18)
“A water infrastructure bill is headed to President Trump's desk after the Senate voted to pass it 99-1 today. America's Water Infrastructure Act, S. 3021, would authorize numerous port revitalization, flood control and water storage projects." (Senate OKs Infrastructure Bill With Permitting, Hydro Reforms, E&E News 10/10/18)
