"Lawmakers in the House and Senate said Thursday evening that they have reached an agreement on an $8.2 billion bill to boost U.S. ports and waterways.

A bicameral conference committee has been haggling over the bill, known as the Water Resources Development Act, for the better part of six months.

The lead negotiators said Thursday night that they would bring their agreement to the floors of the House and Senate next week."

Keith Laing reports for The Hill May 8, 2014. [2]