FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2016
CONTACT
Yasmine Evans, 202-225-8699
Edwards Statement on the Passage of H.R. 5303, Water Resources Development Act of 2016
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) released the following statement after voting for H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. The House of Representatives voted 399-25 to advance the bill to a conference committee, where the differences between the House and Senate versions will be resolved.
“The House today acted on an important piece of legislation to authorize resources for our nation’s water infrastructure,” said Congresswoman Edwards.
“WRDA is critical for the economic and environmental future of Maryland: creating jobs, meeting unmet water transportation infrastructure needs, and protecting our vital natural resources and public health. With one of the longest coastlines in our country, this new law is important to our state. The Chesapeake Bay and several of its tributaries, including the Anacostia, Patuxent, Potomac, and Severn Rivers, flow through the Fourth Congressional District. I am disappointed that the bill does not contain the bipartisan agreement for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to truly meet the long-term funding needs for our ports. I hope it can be restored in the final bill.
“As late as yesterday, I intended to vote against this bill because it lacked funding to help the citizens and children of Flint, Michigan, with their ongoing water crisis. I am pleased that the House Republican leadership relented and allowed a bipartisan amendment to authorize $170 million in federal aid for Flint to be offered today. With the uncertainty in Flint now in its third year, it is vitally important to provide hope and funding to help them with repairing their water infrastructure. Clean and drinking water must be a basic human right, not just a privilege reserved only for the wealthiest."
To read Rep. Edwards’ floor statement from Tuesday September 27, 2016 on WRDA, please click here.
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