U.S. House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) commended action by his chamber to advance the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which includes provisions beneficial to his home state of Louisiana.
The U.S. House of Representatives on July 29 approved H.R. 7575, which is now being considered by the U.S. Senate.
“I’m glad the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) today,” Rep. Scalise said. “This WRDA bill strengthens flood protection critical to families and communities in southeast Louisiana and improves the navigation essential for the economic stability of Louisiana and the entire country.”
Rep. Scalise said that he and other members of the Louisiana congressional delegation secured reforms that would ensure their home-state constituents “are not on the hook for bloated tabs when necessary flood protection and coastal restoration projects aren’t delivered by the Army Corps of Engineers in a timely and affordable manner.”
H.R. 7575 also includes provisions Rep. Scalise said he fought for to enhance the state’s ability to move commerce on its waterways through authorizations for deepening Baptiste Collette, the Houma Navigation Canal, and Port Fourchon Belle Pass, and the bill would authorize a flood study for the Tangipahoa River.
“Overall, this legislation strengthens Louisiana’s position as a leading export state and a top producer of our nation’s oil and natural gas supply,” said Rep. Scalise. “I’m glad Congress is supporting the infrastructure so critical to our state and nation.”