House committee approves water infrastructure bill

By Miranda Willson | 06/26/2024 04:05 PM EDT

The legislation would authorize projects across the nation and direct the Army Corps of Engineers to study water-related challenges.

Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.).

House Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) helped craft the latest water projects authorization package. Mariam Zuhaib/AP

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved major water infrastructure legislation Wednesday that would jump-start new Army Corps of Engineers flood control and resiliency efforts.

The bill would direct the corps to study water challenges and projects across the nation, including changes to dams and levees and initiatives to restore wetland ecosystems and reduce erosion.

It would authorize 12 new infrastructure projects, several of which focus on reducing flood risks and controlling stormwater in coastal and inland communities.

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Light on policy changes, the “Water Resources Development Act of 2024,” H.R. 8812, now moves to the full House for consideration. Reps. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) and Brian Mast (R-Fla.) were the only no votes.

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