Mikie Sherrill

We can--and should--revise non-federal cost shares and remove other barriers that disproportionately impact low-income, minority, and indigenous communities.

I encourage this Committee to prioritize issues of equity.

Better coordination will also ensure we utilize the best available science to more accurately assess flood risk.

My communities are at risk.

I urge the Committee to consider that Chiefs Report and to provide authorization for the Peckman River project in the WRDA bill so that we can move this project forward.

It's our job in Congress to make the government work for the people we represent.

They need the federal government to be a dependable partner to make sure all local, state, and federal officials and stakeholders are working together to mitigate flood risk.

We should also promote greater use of natural, nonstructural measures.

I urge the Committee to work with me to overcome any legislative barriers that stand in the way.

These towns feel abandoned. They've had discussions for decades, but they deserve federal authorities that do more than talk. They deserve action.

We can and we should revise non-Federal cost shares and remove other barriers that disproportionately impact low-income, minority, and indigenous communities.

Too often, the flood risks of low-lying and underserved communities go unaddressed, and their mitigation needs are never met.

These communication breakdowns are costly.

We should also promote the use of natural, nonstructural measures, and improve the utilization of expertise from State and local officials.

We have to move forward, and the best place to start is to provide all necessary authority to bring those studies and plans up to date.

We cannot afford to continue to argue without moving forward on action.

It is our job in Congress to make the Government work for the people that we represent.

They deserve Federal authorities that do more than talk. They deserve action.

And, finally, there is a need for Congress to clarify through WRDA that natural infrastructure projects, such as coastal wetlands, should receive the same non-federal cost share requirement as nonstructural projects.

First, underserved communities often need federal assistance to conduct flood and storm damage reduction feasibility studies.

Second, we need an expansion of the eligibility criteria for Highway Maintenance Trust fund expenditures to include in-water infrastructure.

First, donor ports like the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, need to be permanently recognized as donor ports.

This allows for full use of the trust fund, which is a positive step for ports infrastructure investment.

We can't ignore the fact that climate change is here today, it is affecting our homes and our livelihoods, and the federal government needs to deploy new tools to address it.

Assessments of flood risk today must consider that climate change is accelerating rates of sea level rise.