Julia Brownley: “I would like to thank the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for…”

“I would like to thank the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for including my amendment No. 20, related to the Navy, in the en bloc agreement today. My amendment is a simple, straight-forward improvement to H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act. As you know, Section 202 of the underlying bill requires the Army Corps of Engineers to assess the operation and maintenance needs of harbors used for a variety of purposes, including for commercial navigation; for commercial fishing; for transportation of persons; domestic energy production; public health and safety; the activities of the Coast Guard; recreation; and other purposes. My amendment would add ``activities of the Secretary of the Navy'' to the list of activities that the Army Corps must consider when assessing the operation and maintenance needs of harbors. Section 202 of the underlying bill also requires the Army Corps of Engineers to determine an equitable allocation of funds from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. The bill sets forth criteria, including an assessment of utilization; national and regional significance, and also states that the allocations shall not be based solely on tonnage. My amendment would add a requirement for the Corps to consider--where appropriate--our national security needs in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy.…”