Congress may feel a little more pressure to pony-up for Lewis and Clark now that Sioux Falls has committed to a $66 million bond issue for the water project. Lawmakers from both South Dakota and Iowa are optimistic about securing more federal funding for Lewis and Clark, regardless of a shift in power on Capitol Hill. 

Members of South Dakota's and Iowa's congressional delegation want to present a united front in making their push for federal funding for the Lewis and Clark water project. Rep. Steve King of Iowa's 5th Congressional District said, "So we'll come to a meeting of the minds on how we can work across the rotunda." 

Lewis and Clark supporters are hoping for $23 million from Congress next year. They feel that's a realistic financing goal despite the overhaul of leadership. King said, "This is the kind of project that I think is not going to be one that gets knocked in the head for any philosophical reasons, why would not Democrats and Republicans support a rural water project that reached into all these communities." 

Sioux Falls' $66 million pre-payment could provide added leverage. Senator John Thune said, "I certainly don't think it hurts our cause, I think it gives additional argument and ammunition to what we will say before Congress and that is that there is strong local support to this project." 

Both Thune and King feel it's important that Lewis and Clark funding be accelerated in the coming years to avoid paying more for rising construction costs. 

Thune feels Lewis and Clark's funding chances are improving now that other water projects like Mid-Dakota and Mni Wiconi are either finished or nearing completion.