Bruce Westerman: “I thank the Republican leader and our ranking member, Mr. Graves from Missouri, for their continued leadership on the…”

“I thank the Republican leader and our ranking member, Mr. Graves from Missouri, for their continued leadership on the consideration of the Water Resource Development Acts, or WRDAs. Today I rise in strong support of H.R. 7575, WRDA 2020. H.R. 7575 strengthens our Nation's ability to withstand severe weather and flood events. It authorizes the construction of key water infrastructure projects, creates jobs here at home, and directly contributes to our economic growth and competitiveness. The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, where I have the honor of serving as ranking member, has jurisdiction over the water resources development missions of the U.S. Corps of Engineers. H.R. 7575 authorizes vital Corps projects for navigation; flood control; shoreline protection; recreation; water supply; environmental protection, restoration, and enhancement; and fish and wildlife management. This WRDA bill focuses on supporting more resilient infrastructure, increasing rural flood protection, addressing the maintenance backlogs at our Nation's ports and harbors, and prioritizes our Nation's inland waterways. This bill will help key projects in my home State of Arkansas that will spur economic development and prevent further environmental degradation. It advances the long-stalled MKARNS deepening project, protects the water supply for users of the Ouachita-Black system, and begins the process of preventing bank destabilization of the Sulphur River.…”