{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://gibbs.house.gov/press-release/congressman-bob-gibbs-opening-remarks-house-senate-conference-meeting-wrrda", "Congressman Bob Gibbs Opening Remarks from House-Senate Conference Meeting on WRRDA", "2013-11-20", "2013", "2013-11", "Republican", "House", "OH", "Bob Gibbs", "G000563", "gibbs.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Remarks as Prepared)\nI am very pleased that we are here today to begin the conference committee process for the next Water Resources Development Act. Reaching an agreement between both chambers of Congress is vitally important to our nation\u2019s economy and our global economic competitiveness for years to come.\nOur nation\u2019s ports and vast inland waterway system provide American farmers and manufacturers with a unique competitive advantage.\u00a0 But without timely and adequate investment, that advantage will be lost.\u00a0 In fact, we have already seen nations like China and Brazil begin to invest in their own waterborne transportation systems.\u00a0 Without reforms to the project delivery process and funding for strategic infrastructure, America\u2019s competitiveness will decline.\nWRRDA is a real jobs bill \u2013 not only temporary construction jobs, but also permanent careers generated by increased efficiencies for our businesses that rely on properly maintained ports and inland waterways. I\u2019m proud of what the House was able to accomplish in its version of the bill, and I think that the final vote tally of 417 to 3 is evidence of bi-partisan common sense policies and reforms.\nThis bill changes the way the Army Corps of Engineers does business.\u00a0While it once took the Corps three to five years to complete a study, it has become normal for this process to take 10 to 15 years. \u00a0WRRDA cuts the red tape, streamlines reviews, and accelerates the lengthy process, saving us precious time and money and allowing infrastructure improvements to move forward in a 3 year timeline and for less than $3 million. It is appropriate that we address the cost portion of the equation as we do in this legislation, since time is money.\nThe House-passed WRRDA is the most-fiscally responsible version ever passed.\u00a0 For the first time, there are no earmarks and new project authorizations are more-than offset by deauthorizing old and unneeded projects still on the books. While earmarks are now a thing of the past for WRRDA, it is important that Congress retains its constitutional authority in determining infrastructure policy and priorities.\u00a0 The House bill contains common sense solutions to ensure that Congress maintains its responsibility without resorting to pork barrel politics.\nThe House bill is also focused on getting the federal government out of the way.\u00a0 Many times, states and local interests are willing to use their own funds to move projects forward, but cannot do so because of current law.\u00a0 WRRDA ensures that communities using their own funds to get projects done quicker, while still maintaining federal oversight through the Army Corps.\nPublic-Private Partnerships are another key focus.\u00a0 Due to our current fiscal constraints, we should be doing everything possible to encourage appropriate private involvement in infrastructure projects.\u00a0 WRRDA includes the first-ever pilot program for public private partnerships in water infrastructure, which will help make necessary repairs and replacements without burdening the taxpayers.\nI\u2019m pleased that the House and Senate have each acknowledged that a new WRRDA is long-overdue and a positive step forward for our economy.\u00a0 I look forward to working with my colleagues here today to reach a final deal while retaining the important reforms to water infrastructure policy.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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": ["http://gibbs.house.gov/press-release/congressman-bob-gibbs-opening-remarks-house-senate-conference-meeting-wrrda"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5407097525894642, "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"}