Providing for Consideration of H.R. 3183, Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3183, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2010 -- (House of Representatives - July 15, 2009)

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

Technically, this point of order is about whether or not to consider this rule and, ultimately, the underlying bill. In reality, it is about trying to block this bill without any opportunity for debate and without any opportunity for an up-or-down vote on the legislation, itself.

I think that is wrong, and I hope my colleagues will vote to consider this important legislation on its merits and not stop it on a procedural motion. Those who oppose the bill can vote against it on final passage. We must consider this rule, and we must pass this legislation today.

I have the right to close, but in the end, I will urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' so that we can consider the rule and get down to doing the business of the American people.

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 645 provides a structured rule for consideration of H.R. 3183, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2010. The resolution provides for 1 hour of general debate controlled by the Committee on Appropriations.

Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank Chairman Obey as well as Mr. Pastor and Mr. Visclosky for their work on this bill. They have been tireless advocates for vital funding in this legislation which truly meets the needs of a number of important areas from our water infrastructure to our national energy policies. Specifically, the bill provides $5.5 billion for the Corps of Engineers, which is $139 million over 2009 levels. For my constituents, this funding is more than just numbers. It is a matter of survival. My district sits at the confluence of two great rivers, the Sacramento and the American. The Sacramento is considered to have the highest flood risk of any major metropolitan city in the United States. Almost a half million people, 110,000 structures, the capital of the State of California and up to $58 billion are at risk of flooding in my district alone. The Federal investments in this legislation for the Corps of Engineers directly benefits not only my constituents but the capital of the eighth largest economy in the world. Vital funding will strengthen levees along the American and Sacramento Rivers, levees which keep my constituents safe every single day.

The bill also makes it possible for the Corps of Engineers to complete a GRR to protect the Natomas community in my district. Additional funds will go toward levee construction in south Sacramento, which will give that community 100-year protection. These are projects I have worked on throughout my career in Congress, and I am eager to see it move forward. Finally, this important appropriations bill will also invest in modifications to the joint Federal project to provide greater efficiency in managing flood storage in the Folsom Reservoir.

From the joint Federal project in Sacramento to the levee work in the Mississippi Delta to the coastal restoration in the southeast, this bill works to protect our communities and commits to a strong investment in our aging infrastructure. The legislation before us today builds on the job-creating work of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which has already started to stem the tide of bad economic news. In April, $10 million was invested in flood protection infrastructure in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This project alone will create up to 200 quality American jobs in manufacturing and construction. In my district alone, the Recovery Act has invested $21 million already in keeping my constituents' homes safe from floods and in keeping people in their jobs. The legislation before us today builds upon this positive record of infrastructure investment as a job-creating strategy. It will employ scientists to perform hydraulic studies, engineers to design levees and construction workers to move the dirt. When we rebuild our infrastructure, we rebuild our economy. The same is true for energy. When we invest in energy independence, we invest in our economic health. I strongly support the significant energy policies that this bill supports. Thanks to the congressional leadership in this House, our country is finally on the right track toward a clean energy future that will create jobs here at home and enhance our competitiveness abroad. Between the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the American Clean Energy and Security Act, this Congress has created a new day for our national energy policy.

The legislation contains $1 billion to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and keep energy prices low. This funding will go toward research, development, demonstration and deployment of energy technologies which will help our country become more energy independent. When I look to the future of the world economy, other countries are already investing in the clean energy technologies that will power the future. China, for example, doubled its wind power investment in 2008 and has made its intentions clear to become the world's leader in wind energy development. The legislation before us today represents a strong step that this House can take to compete with the Chinese.

This bill also looks toward the future and provides robust funding for both the Department of Energy and the Office of Science. It makes a commitment to support the advancement of innovative technologies by providing $2.25 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy. It also recognizes the importance of an efficient, reliable, secure and flexible transmission and distribution grid by increasing funding for electricity delivery and energy reliability to $208 million, 52 percent above last year's level. Every increase for clean energy in this bill is a bet on the ingenuity of the American people to compete in a global marketplace where clean energy will drive investment for decades into the future. Just as every dollar invested in levees and other infrastructure in this bill is a down payment on the safety and security of communities, like my hometown of Sacramento, safety and security is what the legislation before us today is all about.

I strongly support the rule and the underlying legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, again, I want to thank Mr. Obey and the committee for their work on this robust bill.

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I want to make a point.

This bill makes an investment in nuclear power and makes it clear that nuclear energy is a component of the overall energy mix. The bill provides $812 million for nuclear, $20 million above the fiscal year 2009 level, and $51 million above the President's request. Support is provided for existing activities funded in fiscal year 2009 and ensures this area is included in our funding priorities.

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I want to make a point.

Infrastructure spending on public safety projects in this bill will save jobs across America.

Infrastructure spending is also smart investment, exactly the kind of smart investment the American people want this Congress to be making at this difficult point in our history.

The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates levee construction provides a 6-to-1 return on flood damages prevented when compared to initial investment cost. At the same time, our country's levees are crumbling and putting public health at risk.

Now is exactly the time to invest in this critical public good.

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time.

The rule before us today is a fair rule that allows us to highlight a significant appropriations bill. After seven hearings, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water crafted an important bill that brings our spending priorities in line with America's vision for a brighter tomorrow.

The bill before us invests in new technologies, scientific research and conservation efforts. It increases funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation allowing them to continue their mission to improve our water infrastructure.

The bill continues to invest in the development of a new smart grid to ensure electricity delivery and energy reliability, and it makes a commitment to renewable energy and scientific research. The bill also continues ongoing nuclear nonproliferation efforts and rejects funding for the development of a new nuclear weapon.

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

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