As the House begins consideration of amendments to H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, NTU urges Representatives to support the following amendments:
#51: Bentivolio (R-MI): This amendment would nearly triple the sum of deauthorized projects stricken from the Army Corps of Engineers backlog, amounting to $35 billion instead of $12 billion. Currently, the Corps backlog adds up to a staggering 1,000 studies and projects with a price tag of at least $60 billion, with projects dating all the way back to 1843. By requiring the deauthorization of $12 billion in outdated projects, H.R. 3080 takes an important first step in prioritizing and eliminating some of the backlog. However, the bill’s $10 billion in authorized spending means only a paltry $2 billion in net reductions to the growing problem the Corps and taxpayers are forced to contend with. This amendment would be a significant reform to a long-standing problem.
#21: Young (R-AK)/Petri (R-WI): This amendment would require the Army Corps of Engineers to contract with private sector surveying and mapping firms wherever practical, thereby injecting the process with common-sense, free-market reforms. The result would increase competition, boost accountability, and save taxpayers money.
Roll call votes on these amendments to H.R. 3080 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress and “YES” votes will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift (703) 683-5700