CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Former South Carolina U.S. Rep. John Spratt was appointed Wednesday to mediate a lawsuit challenging the $650 million deepening of the Savannah River shipping channel.

Spratt, from York, was chairman of the House Budget Committee and a member of the House Armed Services Committee during his 28 years in the U.S. House representing South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District. He lost his re-election bid to Republican Mick Mulvaney two years ago.