Granger Remarks on Energy and Water Development FY21 Full Committee Markup

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to begin by thanking Chairwoman Kaptur and Ranking Member Simpson for their leadership on the Energy and Water Subcommittee.

I appreciate that the bill continues significant funding for our nation’s water resources infrastructure. Almost every Congressional district across the country benefits in some way from the important work of the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation.

These agencies are responsible for projects that protect the public and property from floods and hurricanes.

At the same time, improvements that are made to ports and waterways generate and sustain millions of jobs.

Many of these projects are also a significant source of drinking water and irrigation water for our communities and farmers.

Unfortunately, the bill does not sufficiently prioritize funding for other critical national priorities. I am also disappointed that the bill includes controversial policy riders and significant new emergency spending.

Funding for nuclear weapons activities – although increased above last year – is well below the budget request even though our nuclear weapons infrastructure is in serious need of repair.

For example, there is a building in Tennessee where a 200-pound slab of concrete literally fell from the ceiling. Yet this bill zeroes out funding for a replacement facility.

We must provide the funding necessary to ensure our ability to deter a nuclear attack remains reliable and effective. 

The bill’s policy riders include language stopping funds from being used for the border wall and prohibiting funds for a critical water storage project in California.

Just as in previous years, we can expect the Administration to oppose controversial policy riders, and we will have to address them as this bill moves forward so it can eventually be signed into law.

Finally, the bill includes $43.5 billion dollars in new emergency spending. I cannot support this additional spending until there is serious discussion with Members on our side of the aisle.

In closing, I would like to recognize the Members of the subcommittee, and the staff, for their work on this bill.

Thank you, Madam Chair, I yield back.