Ted Poe: “I would like to thank the chairman for the inclusion of the provisions in the bill to help expedite environmental…”

“I would like to thank the chairman for the inclusion of the provisions in the bill to help expedite environmental reviews and for the language that was requested by myself and Congressman Farenthold which would help increase private investment in our Nation's ports and expedite the completion of large critical projects. One important project that is authorized in this bill is the deepening of the Sabine-Neches Waterway. I have been working on the authorization of this project since I was elected in 2004. My predecessors, Nick Lampson and Jack Brooks, worked on this project. Mr. Weber, who now represents this area, has been working on this project. In fact, the original Chief's Report for the Sabine-Neches Waterway was authorized to begin in 1997, 16 years ago. That was three Presidents ago. It was in the last century. Since that time, all four of my kids have finished high school, graduated from college, gotten married, and have given me 10 grandkids. The United States has fought two major wars. Sixteen years to do an authorization on a Federal project--something is wrong with this picture, Mr. Speaker. This project was supposed to cost $300 million. Today, if it is authorized, it will be $1.1 billion. That is a 287 percent increase, and we still haven't moved any dirt. There is something wrong with this picture, Mr. Speaker. That is why this WRRDA bill is so important.…”