Washington – November 18, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Tim Bishop has been appointed to the House-Senate Conference Committee charged with producing consensus legislation to strengthen our nation’s port and inland waterway infrastructure and spur job creation.
Congressman Tim Bishop in
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Congressman Tim Bishop in
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Bishop, the senior Democrat on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee in the House, helped craft the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)in partnership with House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Committee Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV), and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH). He was instrumental in securing overwhelming bipartisan support for WRRDA, which passed in the House on a 417-3 vote last month. The conference committee will resolve difference between WRRDA and water infrastructure legislation previously passed in the Senate.
“The overwhelming support of water infrastructure legislation in the House proved that Congress can work together in a bipartisan way to find solutions to our nation’s challenges,” Bishop said. “As a conferee, I am hopeful that we can build on this bipartisan momentum to craft a compromised plan with the Senate that will strengthen our nation’s waterways and create jobs.”
WRRDA improves the water infrastructure project delivery process, allows an increased commitment to the maintenance of our nation’s ports and harbors, and addresses the problematic backlog of Army Corps projects by deauthorizing outdated and unnecessary projects. The bill also advances critical water infrastructure projects by approving pending Army Corps plans.
Other House Democrats on the Conference Committee include: Nick J. Rahall, II (WV), Peter DeFazio (OR), Corrine Brown (FL), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), Donna Edwards (MD), John Garamendi (CA), Janice Hahn (CA), Rick Nolan (MN), Lois Frankel (FL), and Cheri Bustos (IL).
Once the conference committee agrees to a final measure, the House and Senate must approve the conference report before it can be sent to the President for his signature.
“Strategic investments to improve our nation’s waterways and transportation infrastructure are critically important to ensure growth in a 21st century economy.” Bishop said. “It is my goal that by working together in a bipartisan way we can promote America’s competitiveness, prosperity and growth in the economy and employment.”
