Water Resources Development Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, if southeast Texas is going to continue as the global leader in creating reliable, affordable energy, we must modernize and improve our water infrastructure.

My district has four ports, including the main terminal of the Port of Houston, as well as the Houston Ship Channel, which is the busiest U.S. deep-draft waterway and the top exporting port in the Nation.

The provisions of 2020's WRDA to dredge, widen, and improve two-way traffic on the Houston Ship Channel is a product of hard work and collaboration over the last several years. This major accomplishment is the cornerstone for a more efficient, safe, and productive waterway for everyone.

However, I recognize that there is still more work to be done. It is not an exaggeration to say that by spending a million dollars today on hurricane and flood prevention infrastructure, we are saving a billion dollars in damages down the road from another storm like Hurricane Harvey.

Thankfully, this bill contains numerous provisions for me and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that address these critical needs.

I wish to thank Ranking Member Graves as well as Chairman DeFazio, Mr. Westerman, and Mrs. Napolitano. Passing legislation like this one today will bring great benefit to southeast Texas and the entire country.

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