House Letter Supporting Water Resources Development Act

June 27, 2005

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector and region, urges your support for H.R. 2864, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

The U.S. Chamber requests your support for this long overdue legislation that will significantly increase investment in port and inland waterways projects. Passage of H.R. 2864 will make certain the nation's water transportation demands can be addressed. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report states that almost 30 percent of the 95,550 vessel calls at U.S. ports are constrained due to inadequate channel depths. Prompt authorization of navigation improvement projects in WRDA is essential to ensure the competitiveness of the nation's exports and permit America's access to low cost imports, which help control inflation.

The bill also addresses concerns of coastal states with new beach replenishment and other ecosystem projects that are critical for environmental and economic security.

The U.S. Chamber is committed to working with Congress and the Administration to ensure a reauthorization measure that is completed promptly and provides adequate funding that meets the nation's growing water transportation needs. The U.S. Chamber will consider using votes on, or in relation to, this issue for inclusion in our annual "How They Voted" ratings.

Sincerely,

R. Bruce Josten