Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Water Resources Development Act or the WRDA bill that we are considering on the Senate floor. I wanted to begin by thanking leadership on both sides of the aisle for moving this very important legislation to the floor so we can act on it. This legislation is important because it funds vital infrastructure projects that make our country stronger, safer, and more competitive. I wish to begin by talking about one of those flood protection projects, permanent flood protection for the Red River Valley. The Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project will establish permanent flood protection measures for the Red River Valley region of North Dakota and Minnesota. It will, in essence, divert water around--actually water that is now almost an annual flood event--population centers, channel it safely downstream for both States. In fact, it will protect nearly one-quarter of a million people and billions of dollars of property in one of the Midwest's most dynamic, productive, and growing metro areas on both sides of the North Dakota-Minnesota border. Furthermore, this vital infrastructure will not only protect lives and property, it will actually save the Federal Government money. This is very important at a time when we face deficits and debt, something we very much need to address. So let me explain. This project will actually save the Federal Government money.…”