Grace Napolitano: “I am pleased to join my great Ranking Member Larsen and thank the gentleman for the kind accolades; Chairman Graves; my…”

“I am pleased to join my great Ranking Member Larsen and thank the gentleman for the kind accolades; Chairman Graves; my friend, Chairman Rouzer; and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in bringing the conference agreement on S. 4367, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, to the floor. The WRDA is our legislative commitment to investing in and protecting our communities from flooding and droughts, restoring our environment and ecosystems, and keeping our Nation's competitiveness by supporting our ports and harbors. Through the biennial enactment of WRDA legislation, this committee has addressed local, regional, and national needs through authorization of new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, studies, and policies that benefit every corner of our country. {time} 1430 Mr. Speaker, I am particularly thankful that we were able to include in this WRDA policies to improve upon and address the needs of water supply. The bill for the first time makes it a policy of the corps to maximize opportunities for water supply, water conservation, and drought resilient measures at reservoirs, recharge basins, and corps facilities. It requires the corps to work with local communities and give full consideration to local proposals to address water supply needs. I thank Representative LaMalfa for joining me in authoring this important provision.…”