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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Senate Hearing on Water Infrastructure Legislation

Original title: THE IMPORTANCE OF ENACTING A NEW WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT

January 1, 2015

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The Frame

What this does

The committee is evaluating the need for a new , which authorizes federal funding and projects for U.S. ports, waterways, and flood control systems that support $2 trillion in annual commerce.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Marine transportation industry

The industry relies on the maintenance of ports and waterways for the movement of goods and economic operations.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The agency manages the infrastructure projects and waterways discussed in the legislation.

Residents of port-adjacent communities

These residents are impacted by local economic activity and flood control measures managed by the Corps.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2015.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This Senate committee hearing focused on the necessity of passing a new to maintain and improve national port and waterway infrastructure. Senators and industry experts discussed the economic impact of these projects and the importance of regular legislative updates to support commerce and flood control.

Key Facts

  • The U.S. marine transportation industry supports $2 trillion in commerce and over 13 million jobs.
  • Investments in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects provide an average annual economic benefit of $110 billion.
  • The return on investment for Corps projects is estimated at $16 in benefits for every $1 invested.
  • The committee aims to enact a Water Resources Development Act every 2 years to address aging infrastructure.
  • The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System spans 445 miles across Arkansas and Oklahoma.
  • The Tulsa Port of Catoosa and Port of Muskogee host over 70 companies and employ more than 6,500 people.
  • The Tulsa Port of Catoosa generates an annual economic impact of over $400 million for Oklahoma.
  • International markets represent 73 percent of global purchasing power and 95 percent of global consumers.

Why It Matters

The committee is evaluating the need for a new , which authorizes federal funding and projects for U.S. ports, waterways, and flood control systems that support $2 trillion in annual commerce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Water Resources Development Act?
It is federal legislation that authorizes projects and policies for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding ports, waterways, and flood control infrastructure.
Why does the Senate want to pass this act every two years?
The committee argues that regular updates are necessary to address aging infrastructure and maintain the economic competitiveness of U.S. ports and waterways.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Biennial Legislative Cycle

The committee explicitly identifies a goal to move from irregular, multi-year gaps in water infrastructure legislation to a consistent two-year cycle.

Connected Entities

organizationAmerican Society of Civil EngineersRepresented by witness Norma Jean MatteiMap →
organizationNucor CorporationRepresented by witness Rob RobersonMap →
organizationNorth Central States Regional Council of CarpentersRepresented by witness Kyle MakariosMap →
organizationMarathon Petroleum CorporationRepresented by witness John SwearingenMap →
personBob PortissPort Director, Tulsa Port of CatoosaMap →
personBarbara BoxerU.S. Senator from CaliforniaMap →
personJames M. InhofeChairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public WorksMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance75
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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