The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to mark up the Water Resources Development Act legislation this week. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek is encouraged the panel is moving forward with the measure. Although, he says a major challenge is Congress may not pass anything significant ahead of the fall elections.

He says while the WRDA proposal is positive, there are other opportunities to pass more comprehensive infrastructure legislation going forward.

Steenhoek says it’s critical Congress approve infrastructure bills every two years and this measure is an attempt to do that. He says it’s constructive the legislation calls for upgrading and maintenance of locks and dams and ports.

Steenhoek says the WRDA measure is part of the authorization process with the funding to come later during the appropriations process.