Blaine Luetkemeyer: “Just turn on the news and you will see reports that highlight the need for a strong and resilient flood protection…”

“Just turn on the news and you will see reports that highlight the need for a strong and resilient flood protection system as people along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers are bracing for potential floodings. These basins have faced major challenges over the past few years due to both extreme flooding and droughts. This devastation, combined with a sluggish economy and our aging inland waterways infrastructure, means that now, more than ever, we must be focused and responsible with taxpayer-funded river projects. My amendment would prohibit funding for the Missouri River Authorized Purposes Study, also known as MRAPS. This $25 million-earmarked study comes on the heels of a comprehensive $35 million, 17-year study that showed that the current authorized purposes are important and should be maintained. This Congress and this administration need to focus on protecting human life and property by maintaining the safety and soundness of our levees. We also must support the important commercial advantages provided to us by our inland waterways system. The Missouri River moves goods to market and is an important tool in both domestic and international trade. That is why the American Waterways Operators, the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River, the Missouri Farm Bureau, and the Missouri Corn Growers support this amendment.…”