Water Infrastructure Assistance Reauthorization Act
Summary
The Water Infrastructure Assistance Reauthorization Act aims to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. It focuses on reauthorizing specific water infrastructure grants. The bill proposes extending the grant program from "2019 through 2023" to "2026 through 2031".
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to continue federal support for water, waste disposal, and wastewater facilities in rural areas. This extension ensures that funding remains available for these critical infrastructure projects. Without reauthorization, these grant programs would expire, potentially hindering infrastructure development.
Potential Benefits
- Continued funding for essential water infrastructure projects in rural communities.
- Supports improvements to water quality and waste disposal systems.
- May lead to job creation in construction and related industries.
- Helps ensure access to clean and safe water for rural residents.
- Promotes sustainable development in agricultural areas.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for inefficient allocation of funds if projects are not properly vetted.
- May increase the national debt if not offset by other spending cuts or revenue increases.
- Could create dependency on federal funding for local infrastructure projects.
- Limited scope, focusing solely on rural areas, potentially neglecting urban water infrastructure needs.
- Possible delays in project implementation due to bureaucratic processes.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Preamble of the Constitution), which allows Congress to enact laws that "promote the general Welfare." Providing clean water and sanitation services falls under this purview. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).