Morganza 'finally in the home stretch'

Published: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 1:06 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 10:30 p.m.

The U.S. House approved a water projects bill Tuesday that includes authorization for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf levee system to protect Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes from storm surge.

U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., said the Houses overwhelming support for the Water Resources Development Act signals smooth passage by the Senate in a vote expected later this week.

The House vote today is a great sign of overwhelming bipartisan support for our bill to provide significant coastal restoration, hurricane and flood protection, reforms to the (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), accelerated projects, and, of course, jobs, Vitter said in a news release. Its easily one of the most important bills for Louisiana well pass this year, and were finally on the home stretch.

Clearing the House was a relief for local officials because the project was previously omitted in an earlier version of the House water resources bill.

Vitter is the lead Senate Republican negotiator for the bill, which authorizes but does not pay for billions of dollars of water-related projects nationwide.

The vote was 412-4. All Louisiana representatives voted in favor, including Houma-Thibodaux area representatives Steve Scalise, R-Metairie; and Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge. Both have joined Vitter and Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., in pushing for Morganzas authorization in the bill.

Today is a huge step forward in making sure our communities are protected from future storm surge like hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Cassidy said in a news release. Secure ports, well-maintained harbors and adequate infrastructure means more trade, which means more jobs.

The bill contains several provisions that directly benefit Louisiana, including:

Authorization for Morganza-to-the-Gulf.

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Morganza 'finally in the home stretch'