[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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