WASHINGTON, D.C.– The House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014 with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 412-4.  Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) released the following statement after passage of the Conference Report:

“Today, the House passed critically important legislation to strengthen our infrastructure and improve our nation’s competitiveness and economic growth. This bill will create jobs, save money, and is the first water bill to have absolutely zero earmarks.

“I’m also proud to represent a state that has a unique network of rivers, levees, and infrastructure that supports our waterway transportation system. This legislation specifically includes authorization for the Topeka Flood Risk Management project, a need identified as a top priority by the Army Corps of Engineers. This is a long overdue and much-needed commitment that will help the city of Topeka correct deficiencies with its levee system and is vitally important to job growth and flood protection for our homes and businesses.

“Additionally, the Conference Report requires the Army Corps of Engineers to work with other agencies to more effectively monitor snowpack and soil moisture in the upper Missouri River basin.  This is a commonsense, science-based solution that mirrors legislation I introduced in the aftermath of the 2011 Missouri River flood. This will help the Army Corps of Engineers to plan for and mitigate future flood events on the Missouri River.”

Items to Note:

• Through WRRDA, Congress authorized the key missions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including developing, maintaining, and supporting the Nation’s economically vital waterway infrastructure and support effective and targeted flood protection and environmental restoration needs.  One of these missions was the Topeka Risk Management project.

• Congresswoman Jenkins introduced H.R. 2579 in the 113th Congress. For more details on the original legislation, please click here.

• Instead of a “water bill flooded with earmarks” House Republicans passed a WRRDA bill that contains no earmarks and makes major reforms to increase transparency, accountability, and Congressional oversight in reviewing and prioritizing future water resources development activities

o  In 2007, the LA Times reported: “Water bill flooded with earmarks. Democrats pledged to cut down on pork, but legislation suggests a hearty appetite for it.  … If the water bill is a sign of things to come, the appetite for earmarks remains undiminished.”

o Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal editorial board reported:“The earmark ban is producing more spending accountability and oversight. … Remarkable to behold, something like priority-setting has happened in the current water bill, the first to go through Congress since the 2011 earmark ban. …  Rather than follow Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's call to return to the pork-addled past, Congress ought to make this water bill a standard for future spending.”

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