Political Quotes

“I rise today to speak about the need to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, also known as WRDA. Despite strong, bipartisan support, the Senate has yet to take a vote on a commonsense, necessary piece of legislation. Frankly, I am extremely disappointed. WRDA will help communities across the Nation who need to repair, expand, or modernize their water infrastructure. The bill invests in the Nation's ports and inland waterways to improve commerce, and it moves us toward major upgrades to locks and dams in places such as the Upper Mississippi River System. WRDA will improve flood protection in order to better safeguard communities from damage and will restore ecosystems and promote public access for recreation. This legislation empowers local partners in water resource project implementation and improves the approval process for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects. WRDA promotes innovative technologies to address water resource challenges, including additional support to drought-stricken communities. This bill also makes essential investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, including emergency assistance to communities facing water contamination, such as Flint, MI. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to again meet with families from Flint. The devastating water crisis continues to have an unimaginable impact on the children and families there.…”