Senator Blunt Introduces Amendment To Move Critical Funds To Priority Flood Control Projects

Press Release

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement today after introducing an amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that would move $40 million from the Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Recovery Program (MRRP) to emergency streambank and flood control projects:

"The Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are critical to Missouri's identity, culture, and economy. As communities across Missouri attempt to rebuild after a year of unprecedented flooding, we must prioritize our limited resources to protect farmers, families, and job creators impacted by flooding.

"Flood protection for people and property should always be the primary goal in river policy. It's unacceptable for the Army Corps of Engineers' annual budget to put more emphasis on land acquisition than on flood protection. This funding is critical to restore and strengthen flood control infrastructure and to rebuild communities affected by last year's disaster events."

Senator Blunt's amendment failed by a vote of 14-15 in today's Senate Appropriations Committee Markup of the FY2013 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.

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