Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Mr. President, today I would like to discuss the importance of ensuring that federally funded infrastructure projects are built to withstand flood damage.

As we work to provide Federal support to the people of Texas, Florida, and the Gulf Coast, Congress should consider how we can ensure that our roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure are better equipped to withstand future flooding.

In 2015, President Obama signed an executive order to reinforce and expand existing policy regarding Federal action in a floodplain, directing agencies to use a higher vertical flood elevation and horizontal floodplain for federally funded projects. This was a common- sense step to improve our resilience in the face of increased flood risk.

Then last month, President Trump signed an executive order to reverse his predecessor's action. Despite support from groups ranging from environmentalists to the insurance industry, the President has decided to undo what a former director of public affairs at FEMA called ``the most significant action taken in a generation to safeguard U.S. infrastructure.''

We must prepare our Nation's critical infrastructure to deal with flooding. That is why I am I, along with Senators Schatz and Booker, am introducing the Flood Risk Management Act of 2017. This bill will codify common-sense flood standards and ensure that federally funded infrastructure projects are built to withstand flood damage. The legislation is supported by the Smarter Safer Coalition, a diverse group of organizations ranging from insurance groups, environmental organizations to taxpayer advocates.

If we fail to invest when our roads and bridges are being built, we risk the lives of American families and ultimately spend more taxpayer dollars to repair them after floods occur. Now is the time to prepare for the next disaster--not after it occurs.

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