Last night, the Senate voted to advance an amendment introduced by North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr that prevents the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from banning houseboats on Lake Fontana and Hiwasee Lake. TVA’s proposed ban on houseboats would affect nearly 400 houseboat owners in North Carolina.

“I am pleased the Senate was able to advance this important amendment to protect hundreds of houseboat owners on Fontana Lake,” said Senator Tillis. “I will continue to work with Senator Burr and Congressman Meadows to stop this gross overreach by the federal government and allow these families on Fontana Lake to keep their homes.”

“This is an important step forward,” said Senator Richard Burr. “Many of these folks have been living on the water for decades. I want to thank Congressman Mark Meadows for his work on this issue as well. I’m proud that we have been able to work together to make sure that the families living in houseboats on Lake Fontana don’t lose their homes.  I’m going to keep fighting until we’ve protected these families.”

The Senate attached the amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 infrastructure bill last night. The Senate is expected to vote on final passage of the bill this week.
 
The text of the amendment is available online here.