House-Senate talks on WRDA bill get under way

The Engineering News Record reports: “Negotiations to work out a new Water Resources Development Act have formally begun, with an upbeat first meeting of a House-Senate conference committee on Nov. 20. Now, the work moves behind the scenes as lawmakers and aides try to resolve differences between the bills each chamber passed by wide margins earlier this year. At stake are $8 billion or more in Corps of Engineers project authorizations and likely revisions in Corps policies.

Lead negotiators are optimistic that they can strike a deal and move a compromise WRDA through their chambers in December. The schedule is tight: The House and Senate will not return from Thanksgiving-Hanukkah breaks until early December. Then, few legislative days remain before the Christmas recess. … ”

Read the full article at Engineering News Record here:  House-Senate Talks on WRDA Bill Get Under Way