House Approves More Than $12 Billion Water Bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a $12 billion-plus infrastructure bill authorizing 34 water projects across the country.

The bill passed on a 412-4 vote Tuesday after months of negotiations between key House members and senators in both parties. The Senate could vote on it before the end of the week. That would send it to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Sponsors said the measure will make U.S. businesses more competitive in moving their products to market faster.

The projects include flood diversion in North Dakota, Minnesota and California; dredging and widening an 80-mile waterway in Texas and Louisiana that serves the oil industry and deepening the growing Port of Savanah.

The legislation also puts an end to some $18 billion in dormant water projects authorized before 2007.

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