WRDA finally approved, Presidential veto looms

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Finally. I think many ag group lobbyists breathed a loud sigh of relief Monday night with word that the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) conference report by a vote of 81-12. The bill has been years in the making and finally finds resolve in both chambers, although a veto is threatened.

Agricultural groups say the bill is long overdue and crucial to keeping U.S. competitive. The bill includes provisions to expand and modernize locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The legislation also authorizes the Army Corp of Engineers to undertake water infrastructure improvement projects across the U.S. The proposed projects range from flood control and dam safety initiatives to storm damage reduction and environmental restoration efforts. 

With Senate passage, WRDA will be sent to President George W. Bush for his signature. However, the administration has signaled the president will veto the bill when it gets to his desk because of the projected $21 billion price tag.

"Such action would only delay the inevitable as there is strong congressional support for WRDA, making a veto override accomplishable," a statement from the National Corn Growers Association said.

"It's unfortunate the administration is threatening veto," said NCGA President Ken McCauley. "Our infrastructure cannot keep pace with demands and is falling apart. We must upgrade the lock system on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers to compete in the global market place. Our hope is the president will take seriously his responsibility to ensure our nation has a safe and viable infrastructure by signing WRDA into law. Ignoring that responsibility is a dangerous gamble.•bCrLf

An important reason the cost of the bill is high is because Congress has not approved a WRDA bill since 2000. 

The House earlier approved the bill by a veto-proof margin of 381 to 40.