Sheila Jackson Lee: “Allow me again to thank Mr. Simpson and Ms. Kaptur for their work on this energy and water bill that is so very…”

“Allow me again to thank Mr. Simpson and Ms. Kaptur for their work on this energy and water bill that is so very important, and emphasize the importance of this legislation to many and all regions of the United States of America. My amendment speaks to the need for robust funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers investigations account. Let me be very clear. It speaks to the general need for robust funding for the investigations account, and it speaks to it in terminology of redirecting $3 million for increased funding for postdisaster watershed assessment studies, like the one that is being contemplated for the Houston/Harris County metropolitan area. It does this to emphasize the importance of the investigations account, not to single out a particular project, but for describing a project, which I will take time to do. I am pleased that H.R. 5055 provides $120 million for the investigations account. This is very important to the Army Corps of Engineers. As a Federal agency that collects and studies basic information pertaining to river and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and conducts detailed studies, plans, and specifications for river and harbor, and flood and storm damage reduction, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays a critical role in building, maintaining, and expanding the most critical of the Nation's infrastructure.…”