FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Senate Okays WRDA Conference Report; NCGA Urges Administration to See Importance of the Legislation

ST. LOUS (September 24, 2007) -- Despite a looming veto threat, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) conference report by a vote of 81-12, making a WRDA victory within grasp.

National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Ken McCauley made the following statement:  “Corn growers applaud the diligent leadership and guidance that has brought final passage of the Water Resources Development Act conference report. Additionally, we congratulate the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and associated staff on a job well done. We are most grateful for their time, effort and determination to see this overdue legislation completed.”

With Senate passage, WRDA will be sent to President George W. Bush for his signature.  However, the administration has signaled the president will veto the bill when it gets to his desk. Such action would only delay the inevitable as there is strong congressional support for WRDA, making a veto override accomplishable.

“It’s unfortunate the administration is threatening veto,” McCauley added. “Our infrastructure cannot keep pace with demands and is falling apart. We must upgrade the lock system on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers to compete in the global market place. Our hope is the president will take seriously his responsibility to ensure our nation has a safe and viable infrastructure by signing WRDA into law. Ignoring that responsibility is a dangerous gamble.”

Corn growers nationwide have been long-time advocates for improvements to our inland system. WRDA provides authorization for seven 1,200 foot locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers. WRDA is crucial to farmers who depend on the inland waterway system to deliver their crops to the global marketplace and to businesses who rely on the system to move their raw materials and products.

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The National Corn Growers Association’s mission is to create and increase opportunities for corn growers. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members and 47 affiliated state organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs. For more information on NCGA, log on to www.ncga.com.