Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I rise and offer my amendment No. 25 to H.R. 8997, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025.

My amendment No. 25 prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from closing parks and campgrounds around Lake Lanier. My amendment would ensure these campgrounds are open for my constituents and for people all across the country to enjoy the outdoors in 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 operates the lake and the campgrounds and parks surrounding it.

Over the past year, the Corps suggested they may close some of the campgrounds and parks around the lake, citing a lack of appropriations needed for maintenance. Congress provided $58.2 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers for fiscal year `24. That amount was $11.1 billion more than fiscal year `23, an almost 20 percent increase in Federal funding. The Corps has expressed that these appropriations are not enough.

Still, Lake Lanier Army Corps of Engineers leadership took the initiative and started a partnership with many localities in my district to share maintenance, upkeep, and operations activities, which should also ensure that these facilities remain open.

I am excited about this new partnership and hope that the Army Corps continues to rely on local partnerships while ensuring sufficient funds are allocated to the most visited lake in the United States. The more local control, the better.

In today's day and age, when people are hooked on their cell phones and electronics, it is more important than ever to ensure that the families of Georgia-06 and Americans across the country have access to all the beauty Lake Lanier has to offer. These parks must remain open to the benefit of all.

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Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Chair, I reiterate, my colleague talked about diminishing funds. The funding has increased almost 20 percent, $11.1 billion more. We didn't close it last year, and we had the same amendment last year because they said the same threat.

I think it is important that we provide these facilities when we are talking about $58 billion to keep the parks open. When we talk about something that is good for everybody, it doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or Republican, it is something that can be and should be done.

We have actually partnered with local facilities to make sure this happens even through private funding. Why wouldn't we put in a specific thing for the most visited lake in the United States? Ten million visitors annually benefit all districts. It doesn't matter where you are from. I highly encourage my peers and humbly ask my colleagues to support my amendment No. 25.

Madam Chair, I yield the balance of my time.

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