Barbara Cubin: “I think one thing we have to consider here is are all states equal? When the Constitution was established, it was…”

“I think one thing we have to consider here is are all states equal? When the Constitution was established, it was established that all states would be equal. Well, inland states get sand and gravel for government projects from the Federal Government for free. Only the sand would be free. Ninety-eight percent of the costs incurred in these projects would still have to be paid and they would be paid. Those costs are dredging and bulldozing. And all Corps of Engineers projects must pass cost-benefit analysis. While I think that the gentleman from California does have a good point about this, and one which, frankly, I do not understand, which is why people will rebuild and rebuild in the same place that storms wash away, nonetheless, that is what is going on, and I do not think it is fair to treat coastal states differently than inland states as far as the Federal state of sand gravel and shell resources is concerned. So I continue to urge my colleagues to support this bill.”