[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 155 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6212-S6213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AMERICA'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, as the Presiding Officer knows, 
President Trump has called on Congress to take up major infrastructure 
legislation. Passing an infrastructure bill would create jobs, grow our 
economy, and help keep families safe. Water infrastructure is a key 
part of the President's call.
  Drinking water systems, dams, levees, ports, reservoirs, and waste 
water systems matter to just about every community in the country. 
Infrastructure is an essential part of everyday life. Infrastructure 
brings water into our homes and protects us from flooding caused by 
catastrophic storms, like the one we had this past week on the east 
coast.
  Many of these aging water systems are in need of significant 
attention. Several need to be repaired or fully replaced, while other, 
long-awaited projects need to get started. The time to upgrade our 
water infrastructure is now.
  Last week, committee leaders from the Senate and the House of 
Representatives reached a deal of historic proportion on comprehensive 
water infrastructure legislation--now passed in the House and awaiting 
passage in the Senate. The name of the consensus bill is ``America's 
Water Infrastructure Act.'' As the chairman of the Senate Environment 
and Public Works Committee, I worked closely with Ranking Member 
Carper, Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairman Inhofe, and Subcommittee 
Ranking Member Cardin to reach this deal with the House. This is by far 
the most significant water infrastructure bill of this Congress and the 
most significant water infrastructure bill in decades. It is 
bipartisan, and it helps all 50 States.
  The legislation does three big things: It grows the economy, it cuts 
Washington redtape, and it keeps communities safe. America's Water 
Infrastructure Act spurs economic growth by creating jobs and 
authorizing vital projects. This bill authorizes projects that deepen 
nationally significant ports, maintain inland shipping lanes, upgrade 
aging dams, and increase water storage in the arid West. These projects 
ensure that American-made goods can be shipped from the heartland to 
the coast and around the world.
  Access to a consistent water supply is key for America's ranchers and 
farmers. They expect that their water will be delivered when they need 
it. Ranchers and farmers will directly benefit from this legislation, 
as crumbling irrigation systems will receive badly needed maintenance.
  In my home State of Wyoming and across the West, water storage is a 
serious issue. This consensus bill will increase storage capacity and 
expand water reservoirs, such as the Fontenelle Reservoir in Wyoming.
  The legislation cuts redtape by making it easier to get projects 
through the Army Corps of Engineers' process. It will give State and 
local leaders an increased role in prioritizing which Army Corps 
projects are built. When a local partner takes over an Army Corps of 
Engineers flood control project, that non-Federal partner will no 
longer need to worry about obtaining new permits. The bill mandates 
that the Army Corps transfer its authority to the local partner so new 
permits--and the time required to get them--will no longer be 
necessary.
  We have also included important language to help smaller rural 
communities leverage Federal dollars so they can complete needed 
infrastructure projects. Leveraging Federal resources is an important 
component of President Trump's infrastructure plan. Federal programs, 
such as the Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act, can give taxpayers 
the most bang for the buck. In the past, smaller rural communities have 
had trouble accessing these dollars. The language in our consensus bill 
will give these rural areas the chance to compete for these funds and 
be able to participate in this very successful program. Cutting redtape 
and increasing access to leveraging programs will help us get projects 
done faster, better, cheaper, and smarter.

  Finally, the bipartisan agreement will help keep communities safe. 
The critical infrastructure projects included in this package will help 
prevent damaging flood waters by maintaining dams, levees, and beach 
fronts. It will also create a permanent program to prevent floods 
caused by ice jams like we saw in Worland, WY.
  The legislation allows the Army Corps of Engineers to more 
effectively assist communities recovering from devastating storms and 
surging rivers.
  This bill isn't just about flood prevention. It is the most 
significant drinking water legislation in decades. This bill invests in 
repairing aging drinking water systems. For the first time since 1996, 
Congress will authorize the Drinking Water State Revolving

[[Page S6213]]

Funds. These funds give States certainty that they can meet their 
drinking water needs.
  The bill is also fiscally responsible. The nonpartisan Congressional 
Budget Office said America's Water Infrastructure Act will authorize 
these important projects and reduce the deficit at the same time. 
America's Water Infrastructure Act has received broad bipartisan 
support from Democrats, Republicans, local governments, and 
stakeholders. It originally passed out of the Senate Environmental and 
Public Works Committee unanimously, by a vote of 21 to 0. After 
reaching this consensus agreement, the House of Representatives passed 
the updated bill unanimously by voice vote. Simply put, America's Water 
Infrastructure Act is good for the entire Nation.
  President Trump called on Congress to pass major infrastructure 
legislation. America's Water Infrastructure Act answers that call. By 
reaching this bipartisan agreement, my home State of Wyoming and the 
Nation will see upgrades, reforms, and new initiatives that deliver on 
the President's commitment to rebuild our aging water system. Now is 
the time for the Senate to take up this important bill and send it to 
the President for his signature.
  Thank you.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.

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