Emanuel Cleaver: “Thank you, first, Mr. Murphy, and to the chair, ranking member, and the chairman of the committee. Mr. Chairman, our…”

“Thank you, first, Mr. Murphy, and to the chair, ranking member, and the chairman of the committee. Mr. Chairman, our amendment would transfer a modest amount, as Mr. Murphy stated, $1 million, from the Corps' expense account to the construction account. The boost in funding can help flood control projects that communities, including several in my district, are pushing in hopes that they can be completed. The United States has, as I believe we all know, an aging water infrastructure system and a colossal $80 billion backlog of Army Corps projects. Over 1,000 authorized projects vigorously compete for funding. This is understandable when you consider the fact that America's levees, dams, and inland waterways were given a grade of D by the American Society of Civil Engineers in their 2013 report card. How can we expect our economy to flourish when its bedrock is deteriorating? Water infrastructure funding is vital to my district. It sits on the confluence of several rivers, and flood control projects protect thousands of lives and billions in economic investment. One such project, Swope Park Industrial Area, lies within a 100-year floodplain. When it floods, access to and from the park is cut off, risking the lives of over 400 workers. Without a 7,000-foot floodwall and levee, those 400 workers and over $61 million in manufacturing remain unprotected. {time} 1430 Another project in my district, Dodson Industrial Park, is ready to start its final phase.…”