Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman and madam ranking member. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer my amendment to this critical bill, which authorizes billions of dollars in Corps projects. My amendment is very simple. I can keep it short. It would reaffirm the need for the Army Corps to make every effort to ensure, as part of their project planning and implementation process, the fair treatment of all communities in this vital process. Mr. Chair, this amendment addresses the continuing concern that certain vulnerable communities affected by Federal actions often have little to no input into the planning and implementation of those activities, and they include low-income communities, both urban and rural, communities of color, and other marginalized groups such as Tribes. By adopting my amendment, the Army Corps could lead in reforming how Federal agencies engage with vulnerable communities by working collaboratively with community stakeholders, by outreach, proactive outreach, and requiring really meaningful involvement and conversations with these communities of color, including Tribal communities, engaging them in developing Corps development of the projects and implementation. {time} 1615 I would ask that no one would object to requiring that the Corps spend more time listening to and validating community concerns and working to resolve them collaboratively at every step of the process, rather than waiting until a lawsuit occurs. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.”