Henry Cuellar: “I thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Mr. Smith, and I rise in support of this legislation, and in particular…”

“I thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Mr. Smith, and I rise in support of this legislation, and in particular, in support of amendment No. 202 offered by myself and Mr. Castro and Mr. Doggett. This amendment requires the Air Force to conduct a core sampling study at Lackland Air Force Base to determine potential hazardous substances along the route of a wastewater pipeline replacement project. Project negotiations are being held up because the proposed route transects two very old landfills whose contents are unknown. Soil sampling to identify potential contaminants along the construction site will allow this project to move forward. Replacing this crumbling pipeline is critical to avoid continual wastewater spills, which impact the environmental health and well-being of both the military base and the residents of San Antonio. I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, the legislation, this en bloc amendment to bring wastewater services to over 500,000 residents in San Antonio, a rapidly growing southwest community.”