Florida Ports Council Applauds U.S. House for Water Resources Bill

With bipartisan support and hard work from the Florida congressional delegation, the U.S. House passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRDA) in a 417-3 vote. The Florida delegation and Rules Committee members, Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, and Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fort Lauderdale, led the discussion for the House on this necessary bill -- HR 3080.

The Florida Ports Council went to Washington, D.C., last month to talk about the importance of the bill to Florida trade and jobs, and the Florida delegation members -- who have been critical to this legislation's progress -- were instrumental in crafting the language as well as organizing support for the House bill.

"Florida's delegation understands that waiting six years to pass a water resources bill is too long and negatively impacts our entire state," said Doug Wheeler, president and CEO of the Florida Ports Council. "We are encouraged that the House has moved quickly to get the bill in position to go to conference with the U.S. Senate for final passage, and ultimately pass this much-needed legislation.

The last WRDA was passed in 2007; HR 3080 reaffirms that WRDAs will be considered by Congress every two years.