House begins work on water bill

(Photo: Photo Phiend / Flickr)(Photo: Photo Phiend / Flickr)

The House starts work Wednesday afternoon on its version of a bill that would reauthorize federal waterways funding for the first time in six years, according to a report from The Hill.

The House Rules Committee yesterday made in order 24 amendments to H.R. 3080, also known as the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). As part of their work on the legislation, members will consider the amendments.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) has promoted WRRDA using a video and a Twitter town hall.

Work on the bill will consist of members debating and passing a rule for WRRDA before considering the 24 amendments.

H.R. 3080 would only authorize waterways spending. The congressional appropriations committees would still need to approve funding.

House leaders told The Hill that the last votes are expected around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. Wednesday.

The Senate approved its version of the water bill in May.