James Oberstar: “I think they have it wrong, and the gentleman stated it just right. Over the past 6 years, if we had passed the water…”

“I think they have it wrong, and the gentleman stated it just right. Over the past 6 years, if we had passed the water resources bill in a timely fashion, it would have been in the range of $2 billion a year. That is normal. So what we are dealing with is a huge, pent-up backlog. Again, as the gentleman said, this is an investment in America, and Members of Congress representing their constituents, their businesses, their water resources, know what they need. They have come forward with thoughtful recommendations, and this bill reflects those recommendations. We have served as a filter to weed out those in our best judgment that did not measure up on cost-benefit analysis. So we have set a standard for the future and we have, in accordance with the rules of the House, made all of the Member projects available, and will continue to do that. I would like to acknowledge the splendid work of the Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson.”