ASA optimistic about WRDA passage later this year

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ASA optimistic about WRDA passage later this year

The American Soybean Association is optimistic the Water Resources Development Act will pass during the lame duck session of Congress. Alexa Combelic, ASA’s government affairs director, says passage of WRDA is a top priority of the ASA, “We’re hopeful that since this is so bipartisan in nature that this will keep this bill on the docked for the end of this legislative year.”

She says the House and Senate versions increase the federal government share of spending from a 50/50 split with the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to a 65/35 percent split, “So, that’s 65% of unding coming from the (federal government’s) General Revenue fund and 35% coming from IWTF dollars.”

The WRDA bill would fund improvements to ports, harbors and inland waterways. Combelic says 25% of all inland waterways cargo is ag products, including soybeans. She says more federal funding is needed to complete the backlog of improvements to severely aging locks and dams.

Combelic was a guest on an Agri-Pulse virtual event on Thursday.

Audio of Alexa Combelic, ASA ^^

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