Legislation introduced in the US House would help levee districts along the upper Mississippi River better prepare for future floods.

The Upper Mississippi River Levee Safety Act grants local districts more flexibility to maintain levee systems and addresses federal regulatory challenges that have curbed improvements.

A delegation from Illinois including Representatives Darin LaHood, Mary Miller, Mike Bost and Eric Sorensen introduced the bill.

LaHood says inland waterway improvements are critical to allow farmers to export commodities around the world.

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