NCGA Stymied by Senate Inaction on WRDA, Calls Growers into Action (3-21-06)

At a time when the U.S. Senate should be moving forward the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)—a vital transportation infrastructure improvement bill—it is failing to act by not bringing it to a vote on the Senate floor, according to the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). In an effort to get the Senate moving on the bill, NCGA is calling on growers to contact their senators while in their home states and urge them to move WRDA to a vote.

“You would think after last year’s devastating hurricanes and the negative economic impact they had on the agriculture industry, Congress would have made an effort to get legislation passed that would improve an aging and decaying waterway infrastructure system,” said Iowa corn grower and NCGA Corn Board member Ron Litterer. “We need every grower, producer and consumer to send the Senate a message – simply put – pass WRDA now.”

In addition to contacting their senators, corn growers must also continue sending letters in support of WRDA from the Legislative Action Center, NCGA notes.

“Even if you have sent a letter in the past month, do it again,” Litterer said. “Keep sending letters until this gets passed. It’s that important. Let’s show the Senate the power behind our grassroots organization. We have more than 32,000 members in NCGA; we should have 32,000 letters calling on the Senate to act.”

WRDA, which contains legislation authorizing the construction of seven 1,200-foot locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers and expansive ecosystem restoration and implementation of small-scale measures, was passed last summer by the House of Representatives in an overwhelming vote of 406 to 14. The Senate has yet to bring the legislation to the floor for debate. NCGA is confused by this inaction, considering the enormous support shown by 80 senators who recently signed onto a congressional letter urging the bill to be brought to the floor for a vote.

“There is overwhelming support to bring this bill to a vote, yet, no action has been taken by the Senate leadership,” Litterer said. “All we are seeing is just talk and rhetoric. It’s time to stop playing politics and pass this bill. It’s an election year for some politicians and that means only selected issues will see movement. It is vital that WRDA be one of the bills that is passed. Take advantage of your senator being in their home state; engage them in discussions and debates on the passage of WRDA. Let them know they are accountable to their constituents and this is important to agriculture and the nation’s economy and competitiveness in the world marketplace.”
To send a letter to your senator urging passage of WRDA, please click on the Legislative Action Center link Pass WRDA Now.

To send a letter to your senator urging passage of WRDA, please click on the Legislative Action Center link Pass WRDA Now.