Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a markup for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018. This is a two-year authorization of investment in our nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water infrastructure that is essential to generating economic growth, moving goods domestically and internationally, and protecting our communities. The bill unanimously passed the full committee. Following approval of the bill, Congressman Randy Weber (R – Friendswood), who serves on the committee, released the following statement:

“The importance of maintenance and improvement to our ports, waterways, and water infrastructure is of critical importance to the 14th Congressional District of Texas, not to mention our great state and nation. Annually, TX-14 ports alone have an economic impact of about $50 billion.

“Additionally, our families, businesses, and infrastructure along the upper Texas Gulf Coast need the protection of a coastal spine. If Hurricane Ike had hit just a handful of miles southwest, the effects would have been crippling nationwide. If Hurricane Harvey had produced a large storm surge on the upper Gulf Coast, we would have had an even bigger problem on our hands than we already did.

“When our ports, waterways, and water infrastructure fall into disrepair, are poorly maintained, or are left behind, our nation is left in a vulnerable position – as we had been from 2007 to 2014. WRDA works to mitigate damage, invest in the things that make America great, and move America’s infrastructure into the 21st century.

“I look forward to seeing this bill come to the Floor for vote by the full House, and I thank Chairman Bill Shuster, Ranking Member Peter DeFazio, and the entire T&I staff for their tireless work on WRDA 2018.”

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More information on the bill may be found here: WRDA 2018.