House Passes IFPTE-supported WRDA Bill, IFPTE Notes Favorable Provisions on Boundary Realignment, But Raises Concerns About Wasteful USACE Office Relocations

On the last day of the House of Representatives’ September session, IFPTE-backed Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) was passed with a overwhelming majority of support, by a vote of 415-9.

WRDA is a 2-year reauthorization and policy bill for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works projects, operations, and other federally supported water infrastructure programs. IFPTE sent a letter to all  Members of the House to remind them of the union-backed provisions and also point out that the bill does not provide sufficient oversight of USACE, particularity the agency’s ongoing effort to move offices out of New York City is a waste of taxpayer dollars, will result in skilled workers leaving the agency, and will harm critical missions and project delivery. 

The House WRDA bill includes language that Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA) added to the bill to require the USACE to inform Congress and consult with stakeholders before any boundary realignment is implemented. While Congress is considering WRDA, USACE is attempting to implement the realignment without appropriate consultation with stakeholders, Congress, and the workforce. 

The House-passed WRDA bill also includes a section that tasks the Engineer Inspector General of the Army to examine whether USACE Park Ranger duties and functions should be deemed inherently governmental. IFPTE's USACE locals, including Local 562 Steward Michael Arendt, have asked for Congress to consider USACE Park Rangers' work as inherently governmental and protected from outsourcing. The House bill also calls for a National Academies of Public Administration study on USACE workforce needs. 

Read IFPTE's letter to Members of the House in support of WRDA here.