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Water Resources Development Act of 2020

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 8, 2020
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I thank Chair DeFazio.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Water Resources Development Act.

There is no question that Chairman DeFazio and Chairwoman Napolitano have worked tirelessly over the last year--and probably longer--to get this bill to the finish line. This bill delivers for our Nation's crumbling water infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, S. 1811 enjoys broad bipartisan support because it pays attention to the unique and particular needs of the different regions of our diverse Nation. The package includes provisions to protect 90 percent of North America's surface fresh water on our Great Lakes. This includes a specific authorization of the invasive species control system at Brandon Road Lock and Dam. The project serves a unique national role, and once completed, will serve as a bulwark for preventing Asian carp and other invasive species from threatening the fragile ecosystem of our Great Lakes and its $7 billion fishery.

Madam Speaker, today's authorization marks an important milestone for protecting the Great Lakes recreational fishing industry. Our region has advocated to include this authorization for nearly a decade. And since 2010, when Congress authorized the Great Lakes Interbasin Study, our delegation searched for a long-term and basin-wide solution to the predatory Asian carp.

I commend the committee for embedding resiliency into the Corps planning processes and for investing to rebuild and advance the Nation's water infrastructure for the 21st century.

Finally, the bill adds the words ``Great Lakes'' to the name of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to shine a light on the Seaway's unique role in unleashing the economic potential of the region and the Nation.

President Dwight David Eisenhower understood that this seaway is the shortest distance to Europe, and we must remember that today.

Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bipartisan bill.

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