Heidi Alexander: “In 2007, the Corps of Engineers told me that two big flood control dams on the Cumberland River system were near…”

“In 2007, the Corps of Engineers told me that two big flood control dams on the Cumberland River system were near failure. I asked for and Congress approved $120 million to begin repairing Center Hill and Wolf Creek Dams. During the recent flood, these repairs kept water levels higher behind these dams, which in turn kept millions of gallons out of the Cumberland River. According to the Corps, if Wolf Creek Dam had failed, flooding in Nashville would have been 4 feet higher. My $120 million appropriation request was called an 'earmark.' Here is another 'earmark.' In 2003, 40 Clarksville community leaders visited me in Washington. They and the commander of the 101st Airborne, GEN David Petraeus, wanted new housing for soldiers returning from Iraq. This was their top priority, but the money was not in President George W. Bush's budget. Over 3 years, I asked for $196 million. Congress approved. By 2007, when the most-deployed troops in America came home, new housing was ready. Some say abolishing such earmarks will help solve Washington's out-of-control spending. I say this is a hoax, for two reasons: 1. Abolishing earmarks doesn't reduce the Federal debt one penny.…”