New Water Resources Legislation Provides Needed Reforms, Investments

The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in response to the release of the final version of the joint House-Senate conference committee's Water Resources Reform & Development Act:

“The release of this water resources bill is yet another sign that investing in infrastructure is something members of both parties in both houses of Congress can and do support. Republicans and Democrats alike understand and appreciate the economic wisdom of improving our aging system of inland waterways, harbors, ports, locks and dams. They also clearly support the need to adequately fund flood control protection and coastal restoration efforts.

“And the committee members clearly support providing additional resources needed to maintain the solvency of the federal Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and help shore up state revolving loan funds that finance investments in clean water systems. The members of the conference committee also wisely opted to expand opportunities to encourage private-sector investments in water resource projects.

“Moving forward, we are going to act aggressively to make sure this vital piece of legislation receives the kind of broad, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate that prior versions received. Our members will continue to contact their representatives to express their support until this and other important infrastructure legislation until they become law.”