Congressman Aaron Schock says the Water Resources Reform and Development Act overwhelmingly approved by the House is much needed legislation. He says it provides a variety of policy reforms and improvements for waterways like the Illinois River and its Lock and Dam system. The Congressman spoke to reporters at the Lock in Creve Coeur:
“If we get money for this lock, I don’t want it to be 15 years which is what it took to redo a lock. And so to be able to get that from 15 to three years, to be able to allow them to do their studies coterminously so we can actually see a project happen is a huge win! So now we just need the money.”
The Peoria Republican says the Inland Waterways Trust Fund pays for projects like overhauling or replacing the Lock in Creve Coeur. He says he’s sponsoring another piece of legislation called the Wave Act to help increase the trust fund balance.
WRRDA still needs Senate approval and is expected to be called for a vote in the next two weeks.
The House approved the measure 417 to three.