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Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1262, the Water Quality Investment Act. We must provide means for local communities to address wastewater treatment needs. H.R. 1262 seeks to provide $13.8 billion over five years for the clean Water State Revolving Fund and provides low interest loans to communities for wastewater infrastructure. The bill also provides $250 million in grants over five years for alternative water source projects and authorizes $1.8 billion over five years in grants to municipalities and states to control sewer overflows.
This legislation is critically needed to help meet America's clean water needs.
H.R. 1262 also renews Davis-Bacon on projects, which requires that contractors and subcontractors that receive federal funds on wastewater treatment projects be paid at least the prevailing local wage rate.
I firmly believe it is necessary that the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirement applies to all construction projects with federal funds.
I commend Chairman OBERSTAR and Chairwoman JOHNSON for reestablishing what Congress clearly intended.
Davis-Bacon is as important now as it was in the 1930s. It prevents competition from ``fly-by-night'' firms that undercut local wages and working conditions and compete, unfairly, with local contractors for federal work. It helps stabilize the industry to workers and to employers. In addition, Davis-Bacon may help ensure better craftsmanship and it may reduce both the initial cost of federal construction through greater efficiency and decrease the need for repair and/or rehabilitation.
I oppose any such motion to strike the Davis-Bacon provisions and strongly urge my colleagues to do the same.
With that, Mr. Chair, H.R. 1262 is very important to our communities because it is another avenue for them to use for improving water quality across the country. Again, I strongly support H.R. 1262 and urge my colleagues to as well.
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