Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, people in the Pacific Northwest have faced horrific news this week regarding potential catastrophic die-off of salmon populations resulting from rising water temperatures from this week's heatwave. Sadly, in our region, deteriorating infrastructure and failing culverts have long had a negative impact on water quality and have threatened the salmon that are so important to our economy and to our identity. But today, through this bipartisan amendment, we have some good news. This amendment would create a new grant program within the U.S. Department of Transportation for culvert restoration to aid fish passage and recovery efforts. It provides $800 million for the new National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program. By providing this dedicated funding for culvert restoration, the Federal Government can restore fish passages and provide critical access to upstream habitat for aquatic species. I am grateful for Senator Cantwell's partnership and that of Chair DeFazio and for the support of bipartisan Members from the Pacific Northwest, who know how important this effort is to protecting clean water and recovering salmon populations in our region. This is good news, and I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.”