A pair of local representatives backed a water resource development authorization bill that passed the House this week.
13th District Representative Rodney Davis and 18th District Representative Darin LaHood voted in favor of the act that aims to provide critical support to America’s ports, harbors, locks, dams, flood protection and other water resource infrastructure in a fiscally responsible way, while increasing transparency and oversight.
Here’s a clip of Davis addressing the House floor on Wednesday.
In 2007, Congress authorized construction of seven new-1,200 foot locks along the upper Mississippi and Illinois water systems. Davis says pre-construction and design hasn’t even been completed yet.
LaHood released a statement on the water and resources development act, saying, “Water resources infrastructure is vital to economic competition and growth, especially in Illinois. I’m thankful this crucial measure, which funds and improves our water resources infrastructure – the third pillar of transportation – passed the House with such strong bipartisan support.”
The water resources subcommittee has stressed a need to pass critical water resource legislation every two years.