by Ken Root
Time is very brief but the U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) intends to take up the Water Resources Development Act conference report during the lame-duck session.
He says the bill will ?invest in our nation?s waterways infrastructure, enhance commerce and support safe and reliable water sources.?
The measure includes assistance for families in Flint, Michigan who have been impacted by lead poisoning within the water system, according to the Hagstrom Report.
However, Michigan Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow said she doubts the bill will have enough votes to pass.
The House and Senate both overwhelmingly passed WRDA bills earlier this year. However, the conference report has hit a snag this week as California Senate-Democrat Barbara Boxer planned to block the measure.
She says the bill would ?roll back? the Endangered Species Act. Boxer is out gunned by Senate Majority Leader, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) who both favor a provision to change water allocation in California due to the prolonged drought.
Boxer is retiring but may try to take everyone down with her before the new administration takes office.
