Senator touts new water projects law

U.S. Sen. John Boozman traveled to the White House on Tuesday afternoon for a bill-signing in the Oval Office. The Republican from Rogers stood behind President Donald Trump as Trump signed America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018.

The new law “authorizes $6.1 billion for 12 new water projects for construction by the Army Corps of Engineers, authorizes modifications to three existing projects, and authorizes the corps to conduct feasibility studies for more than 35 possible projects while requiring it to expedite action on 30 previously authorized feasibility studies,” the White House stated.

In addition, it reauthorizes the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Boozman was one of eight lawmakers on hand for the brief ceremony, White House officials said.

Boozman had initially pushed for a piece of legislation known as the Securing Required Funding for Water Infrastructure Now Act. It would have authorized $1 billion in spending over five years to assist with drinking water and wastewater projects across the country.

While that bill failed to become law, the bill Trump signed included $10 million in additional funding for a similar effort over the next two years. It also removes high application fees that have been a stumbling block for rural communities.

In a written statement after the bill-signing, Boozman highlighted the new effort.

“With this new tool in the toolbox, we will be able to help state and local governments overcome the barriers that have stalled water infrastructure improvements for far too long. Fixing our crumbling infrastructure is a national priority and this new policy initiative I authored creates another option for any community, including those in rural America, to address overdue water infrastructure upgrades,” he added.