Sw Louisiana News

Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana has supported the House passage of S. 4367, known as the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA). This legislation authorizes projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and introduces policy reforms aimed at enhancing America's ports, waterways, and water management infrastructure.

Higgins played a role in securing several provisions specifically benefiting South Louisiana. These include a feasibility study for channel deepening and jetty extension for the Calcasieu River and Pass Project, expanding the Alexandria to Gulf Study to include additional parishes, adding Terrebonne Parish to the Delta Regional Authority's service area, prioritizing maintenance needs for alternate seaports like Lake Charles, clarifying payback terms for hurricane risk reduction systems in Louisiana, and extending a pilot program that allows local authorities to compete for federal funding through 2030.

“South Louisiana’s ports and waterways play a significant role in our state’s economic infrastructure,” said Congressman Higgins. He emphasized that this WRDA package provides necessary tools for infrastructure improvements such as dredging and flood mitigation. Higgins also highlighted his opposition to "oppressive" legislation with liberal policies that he claims offer minimal actual infrastructure benefits while increasing deficit spending.

Earlier this year, Higgins testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advocating for these changes related to Louisiana projects.