Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019
Floor Speech
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Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would increase the Corps of Engineers construction account to address the $96 billion backlog in construction projects across the country.
My amendment would offset this increase by reducing the Department of Energy's departmental administration and bringing it closer in line with the President's budget request.
Our water infrastructure is aging and deteriorating, and the Corps of Engineers has failed to keep up with these projects across the country because of the growing bureaucratic morass that delays construction and leads to wasteful cost overruns.
While the Corps needs reforms to expedite project delivery, we in Congress should also prioritize spending and provide more resources to water infrastructure.
Projects in Louisiana would greatly benefit from increased construction and operation and maintenance funding, especially projects like the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, the Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project, and the Madison Parish and Lake Providence Ports. These projects are critical for the economy in the Mississippi Delta.
I commend Chairman Simpson for his leadership in increasing water infrastructure funding since he has been chairman of the Energy and Water Subcommittee.
This bill provides significant increases in the additional funding pots for both construction and operation and maintenance. This additional funding will increase the opportunities for worthy projects to compete for limited dollars.
Although I intend to withdraw my amendment, Congress should continue to provide more funding to projects across the country that improve commerce, grow the economy, and that protect homes and businesses from flooding. I hope to work with Chairman Simpson and his committee to address the issue moving forward.
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Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for his commitment to work with me on this issue, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. Chair, I withdraw my amendment.
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