Providing for Consideration of H.R. 2641, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Floor Speech

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2641, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - June 19, 2007)

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 481 and ask for its immediate consideration.

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, this rule permits the House to consider the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2008. The bill today is being considered under an open rule. The issues of energy and water are always important, but this year these issues are the very center of our national dialogue.

I applaud Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Hobson for their continued commitment to provide the resources for our water infrastructure. This investment protects communities and saves lives.

I feel I could speak directly to this because in my home, Sacramento, this bill is arguably more important to the everyday life and safety of our population than nearly any bill this Congress will pass. Sacramento is the most at-risk river city for catastrophic flooding in this country.

My district serves as the seat of government for California, the sixth largest economy in the world, as well as the hub of a six-county regional economy that provides 800,000 jobs for 1.5 million people. A major flood along the American and Sacramento rivers would have catastrophic ripple effects regionally and nationally, cause upwards of $35 billion in direct property damage, and likely result in significant loss of life to our families, our friends, and neighbors.

Sacramento needs this bill, but so do countless other communities across the Nation. I remember all too well on New Year's Eve of 2005 when the headline in our local paper said: ``North State braces as rains' onslaught arrives.'' My district and I sat on the edge of our seats and held our breath to see how the storm would unfold.

Flooding did occur, and for those that endured it, it was tragic. But the majority of Sacramento was spared. Our flood system performed as it should, but it was definitely put to the test. Bolstering our system, working through this bill, and with the Army Corps of Engineers made our survival during that storm possible.

Locally, on a daily basis, we are working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the State of California and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, our local partner, to achieve greater flood protection. We have achieved impressive results by integrating an approach that combines flood protection and dam safety with partners that can share resources. But what makes an approach like this possible are strong partnerships between the Federal Government, the States, and local entities.

I am pleased that this bill strengthens and supports this and other similar partnerships. Another key component of this bill is funding for the Army Corps of Engineers operation and maintenance funding account. This important increase will begin to address billions of dollars in Army Corps maintenance backlogs.

This bill takes on the responsibility of not only building but also maintaining our infrastructure and makes an investment in securing our communities, property and, most important, lives.

As our country witnessed in the devastation in New Orleans, maintaining our infrastructure is an important function of the Corps that we cannot afford to overlook.

It is vital that the Federal Government continue to be a strong partner for these ongoing water infrastructure and flood protection investments. This will allow at-risk communities across the country to strengthen their vulnerable points. It will protect jobs and it will protect lives. There are few investments as worthwhile as this.

Just as we must invest in our country's water infrastructure, we must also implement a clean energy economy. This starts with weaning ourselves off of fossil fuels.

Mr. Speaker, the rising price of gas is well documented. In many communities gas prices are monitored more closely than the stock prices. Mr. Speaker, I stood here 1 year ago to manage the rule for last year's Energy and Water appropriations bill. During last year's debate I noted that the average cost of a gallon of gasoline was $2.93. Last year, there appeared to be no end in sight to rising prices.

Unfortunately, we have not seen much improvement at the pump. In fact what has changed has done so for the worst. According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of gas today is $3.06. In my hometown of Sacramento, it's $3.19. Many of us are probably asking, has energy policy improved?

To begin with, Chairman Visclosky has recentered our priorities with this appropriations bill. We are now investing in renewable energy research. We are finally reducing our dependence on foreign oil and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. We are finally protecting our national energy security. Chairman Visclosky and Chairman Obey should be commended for these improvements.

These investments are long overdue, Mr. Speaker. They support our States and cities. For example, in my home State of California, we have plans to create a 20 percent renewable portfolio standard within the next decade.

These increased investments in energy programs contrast greatly with the President's priorities. Incredibly, the President's total request for renewable energy and energy efficiency is the same as it was in 2001.

During this President's entire administration, his goals and priorities have not changed. This is in spite of the everyday reminders of rising gas prices and the constant stream of evidence that our world is warming.

I applaud Chairman Visclosky and Ranking Member Hobson for their leadership in this area. They have set a responsible and innovative course with these priorities.

Finally, as I mentioned at the outset of this debate, this bill is being made in order under an open rule, which is our tradition. I hope that all Members will give that tradition the respect it deserves.

The American people want action on energy policy, climate change, flood protection and a number of issues that this bill funds. Let's let the process work, and let's support this responsible bill.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support this rule and final passage of the underlying Energy and Water appropriations bill.

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

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Washington. I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill that puts our energy policy on line with the people's priorities by investing. It also raises our investment in our water infrastructure.

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

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