The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) encourages growers to contact Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to bring the Water Resources Development Act to the floor for a vote. The number, 1-888-WHY-CORN, is available to call the Senate directly to encourage passage of the bill. The number will be available for everyone to use until the bill is passed.

Momentum Continues on WRDA; NCGA Encourages Use of Toll-free Number (5-9-06)

Following two strong campaigns to bring to the forefront the importance of modernizing the navigation infrastructure and improving the ecosystem on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is encouraging corn growers to continue the push for passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by calling 1-888-WHY-CORN and asking Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to bring the bill to the floor.

The toll-free number, sponsored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA), is available to call the Senate directly to encourage passage of the bill. The number will be available for everyone to use until the bill is passed.

“First and foremost, NCGA wants to thank the Illinois Corn Growers Association and all corn growers and state organizations for their continued efforts over the past few weeks to make the WRDA call-in day and the “Pass WRDA” press event overwhelming successes,” said Bill Chase, NCGA Production and Stewardship Action Team chairman. “With that said, our work is not over. We encourage everyone to continue the calls to the Senate in support of the bill. We have fought for many years to get this bill passed because it is so important, not just to the agriculture but for the nation’s economy.”

According to Lisa Kelley, NCGA director of public policy, there has been some movement on the bill in recent days.

“We are cautiously optimistic that several necessary procedural requirements are in the works to bring the bill to the floor,” said Kelley. “However, there is concern that the bill will get bogged down by too many amendments, which makes an agreement on debate time difficult to achieve. If and when the bill clears all the procedural requirements, then it is ready for the floor.”

WRDA authorizes the construction of seven 1,200-foot locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and an expansive ecosystem restoration program for the Mississippi River basin area. The bill also includes immediate implementation of small-scale measures, such as guide-wall extensions and helper boats, to help alleviate congestion. Funds would also be approved for Florida’s Everglades and coastal regions of Louisiana.

Eighty-one senators have called on Frist to put the bill on the voting schedule. The bill, however, remains stalled. The House overwhelming passed its WRDA bill last July by a 406-14 vote.

To view the legislative alert with phone numbers click on NCGA Legislative Action Center.