Sheila Jackson Lee: “All over the Nation, we face a series of disasters that come in many different forms: fires, volcanoes, and heavy rain.…”

“All over the Nation, we face a series of disasters that come in many different forms: fires, volcanoes, and heavy rain. My amendment deals with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the important aspect of its investigatory work by redirecting $3 million for increased funding for postdisaster watershed assessment studies that are typical across the Gulf region and even up the East Coast, where we know Hurricane Sandy was devastating just a few years ago. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays a critical role in the building, maintaining, and expanding of the most critical of the Nation's infrastructure. {time} 2015 My amendment would address the question of pre-preparedness. As we were facing the disaster of Hurricane Harvey, so many wondered how much more we should have pre-prepared. Many were aware of the fact that we flooded in 500-year and 1,000- year flood areas. We are aware of the devastation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Army Corps of Engineers can be very instrumental in assessing ahead of time the potential impact of flood and storm damage and, through the investigations, can reduce this and create savings. I am optimistic, as we go forward, and hopeful that we will receive in the Gulf region a regional watershed assessment flood risk management feasibility study. But I think it is important to note that we are probably not out from under the weather of future disasters.…”