Sheila Jackson Lee: “Again, I offer my appreciation both to the Rules Committee and to the chairman and ranking member. This is to emphasize…”

“Again, I offer my appreciation both to the Rules Committee and to the chairman and ranking member. This is to emphasize the need for funding in the Army Corps of Engineers. It is an amendment that increases and decreases by $100 million, with the focus on the construction account. I hold up examples of construction projects that are necessary, not only in the Gulf region, but projects that are necessary across the Nation. {time} 2215 That is, of course, dams, reservoirs, reservoir pools, and other areas that can be devastated by disaster. And so this amendment is to emphasize the Army Corps of Engineers construction account, particularly dealing with the need for repair to river and harbor, flood and storm damage, shore protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration and, as well, to include the need to deal with our ports. So my amendment is, again, to reflect on the devastation of the storm that occurred over the last year. With the prediction of 14 storms coming in 2018, approximately five or so to be of monumental impact and hitting the Gulf Region, it is imperative that the Army Corps of Engineers move on their construction account and move on their construction projects to avoid some of the disaster that we have already experienced. I ask my colleagues to support the Jackson Lee amendment. In concluding, let me emphasize the Port of Houston, which truly needs the Army Corps of Engineers' efforts, particularly in dredging. We are a manmade port.…”