WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA3), whose district includes approximately 200 miles of the Sacramento River, was named to the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) Conference Committee. The bicameral bipartisan group is charged with reconciling differences between the House and Senate passed versions of the legislation. WRDA authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding for flood protection, ports, waterways, drinking water, environmental restoration, dams, and levee projects.

Congressman Garamendi issued the following statement:

“I’m honored to be selected for the Water Resources and Development Act Conference Committee. This bill is critical for California. WRDA authorizes both flood protection projects that save lives and property and needed improvements for our ports and waterways. Rebuilding our crumbling water infrastructure is crucial for American businesses, creating jobs in construction and agriculture while strengthening our ability to export American products around the world.

“On the Conference Committee, I will continue to fight for levee improvement projects in Northern California. The bill should allow local agencies to start projects early. Therefore, we need stronger crediting provisions. We must also work to end the current funding disadvantage facing California ports.

“On the local level and in this Congress, the need to modernize our nation’s water infrastructure has resulted in admirable bipartisan action. For the good of Northern California and our nation, we must continue this teamwork and move WRDA across the finish line.”

The Sacramento region is the second most flood-prone in the nation. Northern California has several major ports, including the Port of Sacramento, Port of Stockton, and the Port of Oakland. California’s 3rd District has an agricultural output of approximately $3 billion.

List of WRDA Conference Committee Members
House Democrats: Nick J. Rahall, II (WV), Peter DeFazio (OR), Corrine Brown (FL), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX), Tim Bishop (NY), Donna Edwards (MD), John Garamendi (CA), Janice Hahn (CA), Rick Nolan (MN), Lois Frankel (FL), Cheri Bustos (IL)
House Republicans: Bill Shuster (PA), John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN), Frank LoBiondo (NJ), Sam Graves (MO), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Candice Miller (MI), Duncan Hunter (CA), Larry Bucshon (IN), Bob Gibbs (OH), Richard Hanna (NY), Daniel Webster (FL), Tom Rice (SC), Markwayne Mullin (OK), Rodney Davis (IL), Doc Hastings (WA), Rob Bishop (UT)
Senate Democrats: Senator Barbara Boxer (Chair of Conference Committee, D-CA), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Senate Republicans: Senator David Vitter (LA), Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), Senator James Inhofe (R-OK)

Garamendi is the only Northern California Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over WRDA. He is also Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.

To learn more about WRDA, go to https://transportation.house.gov/wrrda/.