OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

Date: Oct. 26, 2023
Location: Washington, DC


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Mr. McCORMICK. Madam Chair, I rise to offer my amendment No. 45 to H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2024.

My amendment No. 45 prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from closing campgrounds around Lake Lanier. My amendment will ensure that these campgrounds are open for my constituents and for people all over the country to enjoy the outdoors of Georgia's Sixth District.

Lake Lanier is the most visited lake of the 464 federally operated lakes in the United States, with well over 10 million visitors from all over the country annually. The Army Corps of Engineers runs the lake and the campgrounds and parks surrounding it.

Over the past summer, the Corps suggested they close some of the campgrounds around the lake citing the lack of appropriations and need for maintenance. Congress provided $8.31 billion in annual appropriations for 2023, which was 26 percent above the fiscal year 2023 Presidential budget request. Frankly, the Corps seems to have not properly budgeted.

This is Big Government at its finest, wasteful, always asking for more, and never trying to save or be more efficient. The Army Corps must do better by focusing on the needs of the community where it operates. The more control locally, the better.

The families of Georgia's Sixth, as well as all those who seek to visit Lake Lanier, should not have to bear the consequences of mismanagement of funds. These campgrounds must remain open.

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Mr. McCORMICK. Madam Chair, I am glad it is agreed that this is a problem nationwide. I am focused on my district, however. I think I am the representation for my district.

I think, in fiscal year 2023, the operations and management budget for the Army Corps was 11 percent more than the previous year, at $5.08 billion instead of $4.57 billion, which makes our case that there is no reason to use these funds to close the most popular destination for people from all over to come to our lake in our district.

Therefore, Madam Chair, I now, more than ever, think it is important to protect our outdoors. Keep the campgrounds around Lake Lanier open and accessible to the public.

Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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