Doris Matsui: “I thank my colleague for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address my concerns regarding WRDA. My home district…”

“I thank my colleague for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to address my concerns regarding WRDA. My home district of Sacramento is the most at-risk major American city for flooding, and with the damaging effects of our changing climate, that risk is not going away. We sit at the confluence of two great rivers, making flood control absolutely essential for the safety of my constituents. That is why I have worked diligently for years to ensure we are making the investments we need to protect our region; but our levees are aging, which is why I have worked so strongly and fought for the inclusion of two projects in this bill: the American River Common Features and the West Sacramento projects. Combined, these projects will result in almost $3 billion worth of lifesaving investments in my region. This isn't just about protecting a few buildings. The area that these projects support protect upwards of 400,000 people. It includes four major highway systems, an international airport, the State capitol, and a major water and electric grid. This is about protecting the future of my beloved city of Sacramento, which is why I am so disappointed that WRDA has become a vehicle for a poison pill. The drought language that was airdropped into this bill at the last minute pits one region of California against another. It will be detrimental to northern California's economy and environment, and I am concerned about its impact on our region's water supply.…”