Providing for Consideration of HR 1495, Water Resources Development Act of 2007

Floor Speech

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1495, WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Hastings). During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only.

Mr. Speaker, this rule permits the House to consider the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

The structured rule makes in order six amendments. As yesterday's debate in the Rules Committee demonstrated, Members on both sides of the aisle are focused on getting this bill to conference and onto the President's desk, and this rule reflects that consensus.

Mr. Speaker, it has been well documented that our country has not had a WRDA bill in over 7 years. Seven years is perilously close to an entire generation passing without a national water resources policy being signed into law by a President.

The bill made in order under this rule authorizes nearly $14 billion for the construction of more than 700 water resources development projects and studies by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, navigation, and environmental restoration.

Additionally, H.R. 1495 authorizes hurricane recovery activities along the gulf coast that would cost an estimated $3 billion. Furthermore, the bill requires an external peer review for studies of projects that would cost more than $50 million. The bill also coordinates environmental analyses and other permit processes among Federal and State agencies and authorizes environmental quality initiatives. In short, this bill today moves our country forward.

In my district of Sacramento, California, this WRDA bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation that will pass Congress this year. We have been waiting a long time for this bill. Sacramento is the most at-risk river city in this country for catastrophic flooding. Located at the confluence of the great Sacramento and American Rivers, the Sacramento floodplain contains over 165,000 homes, over 488,000 residents, 1,300 government facilities including the State capital, and businesses providing 200,000 jobs. It is the hub of a six-county regional economy that provides 800,000 jobs for 1.5 million people.

A major flood along the American River or the Sacramento River would cripple this economy, and cost upwards of $35 billion in direct property damages and likely result in a significant loss of life.

Sacramento has had major floods throughout its history, the last major floods being in 1986 and 1997. We live with a constant threat of catastrophic flooding. In my district, we understand the need and urgency for an overarching water resources policy to protect our homes, businesses, and families. This bill, the projects and policies it contains, goes a long way in addressing my district and our country's flood vulnerabilities.

Nationally, regions across the country are starving for a Federal partner in water resources policy. Our country is confronted with population growth, climate change and growing demands on our water infrastructure. Our districts across this country need this bill, and the Members in this Chamber have repeatedly supported WRDA bills.

In the 108th Congress, WRDA passed the House by a vote of 412-8. In the 109th Congress, WRDA passed the House 406-14. There is a strong history of support and bipartisanship for WRDA bills. It is my hope that this support continues and that we will move forward on this very important work.

I also want to congratulate and thank Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chair, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and the full committee chairman, Jim Oberstar, for their commitment to make this bill a priority in the 110th Congress.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this rule and final passage of the underlying Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, this bill is long overdue. Our country needs a comprehensive water resources policy, and WRDA is the framework that can meet this need. We have 7 years of backlogged water projects that must be addressed. There is a growing demand on our already overburdened water infrastructure. The sooner we move forward on this bill, the sooner our communities across the country will be healthier and safer.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on the previous question and on the rule.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

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