On Sept. 10, U.S. Senate and House lawmakers reached an agreement on America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.
Next, the bipartisan legislation needs to be passed by Congress and approved by President Donald Trump. The agreement was announced by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Sen. John Barrasso, Ranking Member Sen. Tom Carper, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio.
“The bill will help coastal communities prepare for the growing risks of climate change and help communities across America invest in local water infrastructure needs,” Carper said.
The water infrastructure bill requires re-authorization every two years and this year’s bill features several changes from past years, including $4.4 million in funds for Drinking Water State Revolving funds and funding for water infrastructure upgrades in Native American tribal communities. Additionally, the bill would provide funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood reduction projects that would reduce flood risks for rural, western and coastal communities, as reported by The Hill. However, the bill also includes billions of dollars in deauthorizations.
“These critical water infrastructure projects will improve our Nation’s ports, harbors, and waterways, and create and sustain thousands of good-paying American jobs,” DeFazio said.
The bill will head to the U.S. House of Representatives this week and, if approved, back to the Senate for passage before landing on President Trump’s desk for his signature.