The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, known as H.R. 8812, on Monday.
The WRDA is passed biennially by Congress to authorize projects of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to aid in water infrastructure.
Rep. for Georgia’s 10th district Mike Collins (R-Ga.) authored several provisions to the bill for water needs in the state of Georgia and the country as a whole.
“I am proud to have secured several wins in this bill for Georgia,” Collins said.
The four provisions Collins was able to secure included:
-
An amendment to keep the USACE from reducing the City of Augusta’s water storage at the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam on the Savannah River. This passed the Transportation Committee in a 32-31 vote.
-
A USACE study on deepening the Port of Savannah in the base text of the bill to uphold the port's global competitiveness and ensure Georgia remains an enticing trade hub.
-
Language clarifying the role of power management agencies (PMAs) to set hydropower rates.
-
The repair of the Wilson Lock and Dam on the Tennessee River in Alabama, which will allow for better navigation on the Mississippi River for cargo, recreation, and national security assets.
“Our state’s water infrastructure is vital to ensuring Georgia remains the top place to do business in America, stays competitive in the global supply chain, and retains access to clean water for consumption and recreation,” Collins said.
The bill passed the house in a 359-13 vote, with the only Georgia representative voting no being Representative for Georgia’s 14th district Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Nine Georgia representatives voted yes, with four not voting.
The bill was received by the senate on Tuesday where it will be voted on.
