James Oberstar: “I support the bipartisan managers' amendment offered on behalf of the Committee. This amendment addresses several issues…”

“I support the bipartisan managers' amendment offered on behalf of the Committee. This amendment addresses several issues that were brought to the attention of the committee following the committee markup of a technical or clarifying nature. It also adds six new projects contingent upon the completion of a report of the Chief of Engineers by December 31, 2005, These contingent authorizations are consistent with the criteria used by the committee in developing water resources legislation over the past several Congresses. The managers' amendment also reflects a failure of the current administration and the Congress to address the water and wastewater infrastructure needs of communities across the Nation. The amendment includes authorization for 73 new projects totaling $1.6 billion for water and wastewater related infrastructure. These are the types of projects that for many years had been financed through the Construction Grants and State Revolving Loan programs of the Environmental Protection Agency, the grant and loan programs of the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agriculture, and other Federal financial assistance programs. Unfortunately for communities, this administration continues to put forward budget requests that cut these vital programs, and this House continues to accede to those cuts. Just last month, this House approved funding for EPA's State revolving loan fund grants at $850 million.…”