Both Senator Boxer and I have made passing a WRDA in 2016 a top priority.

That means for every dollar we invest, we get $16 in benefits.

That is not my question, though. My question is, in the absence of that, we should take full advantage of what is out there, outside of Government, to put the Band-Aid on, to keep everything moving.

It is important that your members be aware to use their influence on members to make this very popular program.

Thank you.

Both Senator Boxer and I have made passing the WRDA bill in 2016 a top priority.

The U.S. marine transportation industry supports $2 trillion in commerce and creates jobs for over 13 million people.

This is kind of interesting, because historically we have always wanted to have one every 2 years.

If we, as a country, ignore the problems facing our waterway and our port and our flood control infrastructure, those benefits and jobs will be at risk.

Today's hearing on the importance of enacting a Water Resources Development Act or WRDA will highlight the importance of rebuilding America's crumbling infrastructure.

Aging pipes, that is a nationwide problem, Mr. Chairman.

The annual economic benefit to our Nation from our investments in Corps projects averages about $110 billion a year.

Thanks to the projects of both the Arkansas River and the Red River Basin, more than $500 million in damages were prevented in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana after historic rainfall this past spring.

I agree with you.

We are going to be highlighting the importance of rebuilding America's crumbling infrastructure and the national economic benefits that this infrastructure supports.

The aggregate investment that we need over time is $1.7 trillion, by 2050.

What difference does it make if it is using outside Government resources to do something, to make an approval on a public project, whether that resulted from a natural disaster or otherwise?

We meet today to discuss the Federal Government's encroachment on State rights to manage fish and wildlife populations.