Key Vote Supporting the Conference Report to the "Water Resources Development Act of 2007"

July 31, 2007

TO THE 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 and organizations of every size, sector, and region, strongly supports the conference report to H.R. 1495, the "Water Resources Development Act of 2007" (WRDA).

H.R. 1495 protects communities and supports infrastructure investments that will pay dividends to the national economy. This long-overdue bill will support more than 400 new flood control, navigation, environmental restoration, recreation, and environmental infrastructure project modifications and new projects for the Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, WRDA authorizes 100 new studies for the Corps of Engineers and also ensures water resources projects are developed collaboratively with all stakeholders to maintain public confidence and makes certain that transportation demands are addressed.

Inland waterway improvements funded by H.R. 1495 will bolster America's economic competitiveness by improving efficient, safe, and sustainable movement of goods in the United States. U.S. ports and waterways are integral to the U.S. national transportation system and contribute $718 billion to the nation's gross domestic product. On an annual basis, the U.S. marine transportation system moves more than 2 billion tons of domestic and international freight.

H.R. 1495 provides the coordinated federal agenda needed to better protect the United States against severe weather and flooding, and to facilitate commerce at the nation's waterways and ports.

For these reasons, the Chamber strongly encourages you to support H.R. 1495. The Chamber will consider using votes on, or in relation to, these issues in our annual How They Voted scorecard.

Sincerely,

R. Bruce Josten