I am disappointed that Congress was unable to overcome its differences and pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2002. My top legislative priority is to make sure that the Tennessee River remains open. The federal government severed the Tennessee River just above Chattanooga 60 years ago when it built the Chickamauga Dam. The government also built a lock to make sure that commercial and recreational boating would not be devastated.

However, years of use and a condition called concrete growth are starting to take its toll on the structure and the Chickamauga Lock needs to be repaired and replaced. The authorization to replace this lock is included in the WRDA bill.

The major obstacle that held this bill up in Congress was the issue of reforming the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Since the 107th Congress has adjourned, I will be working hard to ensure this important bill is passed early into the 108th Congress.