Water Resources Development Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Ms. GABBARD. Mr. Chairman, this legislation is a bright light of bipartisanship that is sorely needed by communities like mine in Hawaii and those in Florida as well.

There is nothing more necessary and basic to life than water. Strengthening and upgrading our water infrastructure is critical to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of communities all across the country. Those like mine, who are surrounded by water, and those in our coastal communities are acutely aware of the dire need for investment.

For example, for us in Hawaii, we rely on our ports for the vast majority of the basic needs and supplies that we have to ship in for our residents. We have also experienced historic floods in Hawaii recently, like other States, exposing the urgent need for investment in water infrastructure.

Just one example, risk experts in Hawaii have warned that the Ala Wai watershed's high vulnerability to devastating flooding could result in financial devastation to the tune of over $1.1 billion, damaging more than 3,000 structures, and speaks to the fact that the area is home to over 150,000 residents and over 80,000 visitors every day.

This bipartisan legislation will secure critical funding for flood risk management both on the Ala Wai Canal, other places in Hawaii, and across the country, helping to provide that necessary safety and security for our residents.

This is a critical piece of bipartisan legislation that deserves the support of Congress. Let's take this opportunity to better the lives of our constituents and residents across the country by strengthening our national infrastructure and ensuring clean and safe drinking water for all.

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