Water bill may open spigot for Biden infrastructure plan
Lisa Mascaro And Kevin Freking
Associated Press
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The Washington Post
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., arrives to the chamber ahead of President Joe Biden speaking to a joint session of Congress, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)
WASHINGTON – Rarely has a routine water resources bill generated so much political buzz, but as senators hoisted the measure to passage Thursday the bipartisan infrastructure legislation served as a potential template for building consensus around President Joe Biden’s ambitious American Jobs Plan.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. â U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Worksâ (EPW) Committee, today voted in favor of the
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 (DWWIA 2021), legislation she introduced and co-wrote along with Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the EPW Committee; Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the EPW Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Chair of the EPW Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife; Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the EPW Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife; and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The legislation passed by a vote of 89-2.
Lisa Mascaro And Kevin Freking
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., stands and applauds as President Joe Biden addresses a joint session of Congress, Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via AP, Pool) April 29, 2021 - 7:01 PM
WASHINGTON - Rarely has a routine water resources bill generated so much political buzz, but as senators hoisted the measure to passage Thursday the bipartisan infrastructure legislation served as a potential template for building consensus around President Joe Bidenâs ambitious American Jobs Plan.
The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 authorizes about $35 billion over five years to improve leaky pipes and upgrade facilities, and is widely supported by lawmakers and their states back home. This time, though, it could be so much more â a building block in Biden s broader $2.3 trillion proposal to invest in roads
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The $35 billion Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act is the first legislation related to the Biden-Harris administration’s sweeping infrastructure proposal to advance out of the Senate. It would invest in alternate water sources like storm and wastewater reuse and desalination projects. It would also shore up the nation’s water systems against climate change, drought, wildfire and cyber threats.
Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly is a cosponsor, and says it includes $50 million a year for tribal drinking water projects. There are a lot of communities that don’t have access to running water even now. I’m talking about just basic water infrastructure. Tribal communities still often lack access, says Kelly.
April 29, 2021
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) secured West Virginia priorities in the
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021. The Senate passed the legislation 89-2.
“I always say that every West Virginian and American deserve clean water to drink and fresh air to breathe. Today, I voted for the
Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021, which includes major priorities for West Virginia,”
said Senator Manchin. “This bipartisan legislation will upgrade and replace water infrastructure throughout West Virginia, as well as improve access to safe drinking water by allocating funds for rural and disadvantaged communities. I am pleased that this legislation includes funding to support our priorities in the state, and I’ll continue fighting to ensure all West Virginians have access to clean drinking water.”