Stay Informed

With the Senate and House each passing its own version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (S. 2848 , H.R. 5303), staff members from both chambers were slated to work during the October recess to negotiate a final bill Congress can approve after the election and send to the president for his signature.

WRDA provides funding that helps put America's inland waterways and port infrastructure on a solid and sustainable foundation to contribute to U.S. economic growth, jobs and global competitiveness for generations to come, according to Farm Bureau.

“Over 60 percent of America's grain exports and many other important commodities such as fuel, coal and agricultural inputs also move through our inland waterway system. Due to this importance, Farm Bureau policy explicitly supports the maintenance and improvement of our transportation infrastructure including the lock and dam system and other vital waterway infrastructure,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall wrote in a September letter urging House members to pass WRDA.

“Construction, dredging and repairs to our vital marine transportation system will help ensure the reliability of the most affordable, energy efficient and environmentally-sustainable mode of transporting agricultural products,” Duvall added.