Rubio Urges Biden to Request $725 Million for Everglades Restoration for FY 2023 and Fund EAA Reservoir Construction

Press Release

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) urged President Joe Biden to include $725 million for Everglades restoration efforts in his forthcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget to Congress. Rubio made the same request last year, but the president's budget failed to meet that request. The requested amount builds off Rubio's successful effort to fulfill the FY 2021 Presidential budget request for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER). The FY 2022 and FY 2023 requests match the amount advocated for by the Everglades Coalition. Rubio's request follows the Biden Administration's recent decision to shortchange Florida infrastructure funding.

"The State of Florida is more than willing and capable to continue fulfilling its role and share in the execution of SFER," Rubio wrote. "I hope the Federal government under your leadership will strive to be a better partner in Everglades restoration by reciprocating financial investment and directing funds to projects prioritized by the State of Florida, such as the EAA reservoir. Federal obligations for SFER are expected to increase by several billion dollars over the next several years due to new authorizations. As such, fulfilling Army Corps construction capacity for SFER by including no less than $725 million for Everglades restoration in your FY23 budget request must be a priority."

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