Alan Grayson: “Chairman Frelinghuysen, thank you for the constructive conversation that we had earlier today about this amendment. I…”

“Chairman Frelinghuysen, thank you for the constructive conversation that we had earlier today about this amendment. I regret that we weren't able to come to some solution to the problem that it's meant to address, but I appreciate your time and your sensitivity to the needs of coastal communities. The amendment before us would increase the Army Corps of Engineers' Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account by $10 million. It would do so by moving the same amount from the Department of Energy's Fossil Energy Research and Development account. The Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account provides communities across the Nation with the funds that are necessary to prepare for floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. It also provides support for emergency operations, repairs, and other activities in response to those disasters. Currently, the committee has requested that we fund this important account by only $28 million. My amendment would increase that amount by approximately one-third. The Fossil Energy Research and Development account does what its name implies; it conducts research pertaining to the extraction and processing and use of mineral substances. Unlike the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account, this one will be funded at $450 million, almost $30 million above the President's request. My amendment would simply reduce this account by only 2 percent, while still allowing for a $20 million increase above the President's request for that account.…”