Jerry Lewis: “The amendment seeks to add $430 million for armoring levees in addition to the $170 million already contained in the…”

“The amendment seeks to add $430 million for armoring levees in addition to the $170 million already contained in the bill. The supplemental bill before us provides the request of $170 million to armor the most critical portions of the hurricane protection system that are judged by the Corps of Engineers to be the most critical to providing near-term protection to the citizens of New Orleans. The funding, as provided, is not geographically specific and can be used across the entire hurricane protection system to armor the areas identified by the Corps as the most vital. This funding is sufficient to address the most essential armoring requirements as identified by the Corps of Engineers. According to the Corps, only 16 percent of the requested $170 million can be expended in 2006. Given that the Corps will only be able to expend a very limited amount of the $170 million this fiscal year, the provision of additional funding will not result in more near-term protection for the region. Activities that occur predominately in fiscal year 2007 and beyond do not qualify for emergency funding in this supplemental. They should be addressed in the regular order of our fiscal year 2007 energy and water bill. The amendment also seeks to add an additional $35 million to accelerate the study phase of the Morganza to the Gulf project. I would like to point out that the study was funded at $11 million in 2006 through both the regular bill and the supplemental funding.…”