{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://comer.house.gov/2024/12/comer-applauds-passage-of-the-bipartisan-water-resources-development-act", "Comer Applauds Passage of the Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "KY", "James Comer", "C001108", "comer.house.gov", "comer", "https://comer.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) today praised the House of Representatives\u2019 passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. Congressman Comer supported the bipartisan legislation which will authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out projects to improve the nation\u2019s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. In addition, WRDA includes language Congressman Comer authored which requires the Corps to implement consistent, clear, and fair fee policies to marina operators and other small businesses in Kentucky and across the United States.\n\n.\n\n\u201cThe Water Resources Development Act is the most consequential legislative package for Kentucky\u2019s 1st District, and I was proud to support the bill\u2019s passage today. Kentucky\u2019s 1,590 miles of rivers are vital to the transportation of nearly 79 million tons of freight, valued at over 5 billion dollars, and these waterways provide a safe and efficient way to transport essential commodities that Americans need. The Water Resources Development Act will provide resources for major construction projects that will strengthen and improve Kentucky\u2019s waterway infrastructure and create good-paying jobs for hardworking Kentuckians.\n\n.\n\n\u201cTourism is also crucial to Kentucky\u2019s economy, especially lake related tourism, and marinas throughout the Commonwealth provide critical economic opportunities. Unfortunately, the Army Corps has levied inconsistent and exorbitant fees against local marinas and these unexpected fees can cripple marina operators. As Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, I made it a priority this Congress to bring much needed transparency and consistency to fees pushed by the Corps. WRDA includes language I authored, which will ensure fees pushed on local marinas are now administered consistently and fairly. In the 119th Congress, I will continue to advocate for Western Kentucky\u2019s inland waterways system and tourism industry,\u201d said Congressman Comer (R-Ky.).\n\n.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://comer.house.gov/2024/12/comer-applauds-passage-of-the-bipartisan-water-resources-development-act"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4796629548072815, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}