▶ 0:30:30He's hearing things that run counter to his narrative. [laughter] I call the committee on transportation and infrastructure to order. Pursuant to committee rule 6F, House rule 11, clause 2HF, the chairman may postpone further proceedings today on any question of approving any measure, matter, or adopting an amendment which recorded voter. The yays and nays are ordered. I'd ask unanimous consent the chairman be authorized to declare recess at any time during today's meeting without objection that is so ordered.
▶ 0:30:57All rosters and checks have been distributed electronically and paper copies are also available here in the hearing room. As a reminder, the committee may use an electronic voting system for any requested recorded votes. And today, the committee is considering approval of updated subcommittee rosters due to changes on the minor majority side to general service administration capital investment leasing program resolutions and an amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497, the water resources development act.
▶ 0:31:27Finally, I'd ask unanimous consent for the committee to use an amendments roster for any items under consideration by the committee. And without objection, um that is so ordered. Our first item of business today is the approval of revised subcommittee roster due to membership changes on the majority side. So I call up the subcommittee rosters for consideration. Without objection, the rosters will be considered as read and I recognize myself for a quick statement.
▶ 0:31:55Pursuant to House Resolution 1381, Congressman James Gallagher of California was appointed to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure following Congressman Shre's resignation from the committee to move to the committee on appropriations. I'm pleased to welcome the newest member of the House of Representatives, Congressman James Gallagher from California to the committee. Mr. Gallagher will be joining the subcommittees on aviation, highways and transit, and railroads pipelines and hazardous materials. Mr.
▶ 0:32:24Gallagher recently won a special election to fill a seat previously held by our good friend Doug Lamafa for whom Mr. Gallagher served as a fellow. He also spent more than 10 years in the California State Assembly and is a fifth generation rice and walnut farmer. This committee still has a lot of important work to do this Congress. Mr. Gallander, we are glad to have you uh join us on the uh on the committee. Any further discussion?
▶ 0:32:56Go ahead, Mr. Galler. You want to say a few words?
▶ 0:32:58Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for that very nice introduction. Thank you for your leadership and thank you to all the members of the Transportation Infrastructure Committee for the support you've already shown since I joined the committee just a few days ago. I'm grateful uh for that warm welcome and I look forward to working closely with all of you throughout the year as we advance uh responsible bipartisan policies. I also want to acknowledge Congressman Lamalfa's long and effective service on behalf of the North State in California.
▶ 0:33:25He set a strong foundation for advocating for our water, our infrastructure, and rural community needs. And I'm committed to building on that uh great legacy as I step into this role. I'm excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work on aviation, rail, and highways subcommittees. And I want to thank the chairman and members for this great opportunity. We're just getting started and I'm eager to contribute wherever I can. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.
▶ 0:33:50Thank you. Is there any further Seeing none, I'd ask unanimous consent for the approval of revised subcommittee rosters due to membership changes on the majority side. Without objection, that is so ordered and the revised subcommittee roster has been approved. next item for consideration are two resolutions for projects in the GSA capital investment and leasing program.
▶ 0:34:17And I'd ask unanimous consent to call up the resolutions in block and they're now considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Without objection, that is so ordered. I recognize myself real quick for a statement. So, the two GSA resolutions we are considering today include optimization programs for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. These perspectices will fund critical projects that will ultimately reduce liability to the taxpayer.
▶ 0:34:47Realize a return on property sales and ensure space usage is consistent with requirements set in the public buildings reform that we enacted in WERA 2024. I want to thank subcommittee chairman Perry for his work on ensuring that these projects make sense to the taxpayer. And with that, I'd urge my colleagues to support these resolutions. And I now recognize Rick for his
▶ 0:35:11Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. Chair, I support the two GSA resolutions before us today. Both resolutions support GSA's optimization program, which GSA introduced in FY25 to fund the work needed to maximize the federal owned portfolio and dispose of underutilized space. products to be funded uh include building renovations, space reconfiguration, and agency relocations.
▶ 0:35:33One of these resolutions amends a resolution passed by this committee and fiscal year 25 for a $150 million and adds an additional um $104,710,000 which is equal the amount already appropriated by Congress.
▶ 0:35:49The other resolution before us today provides um about well these are big numbers I'll let you read it uh a lot more which is less than GSA requested in FY26 but equal to what's already been appropriated by Congress to ensure that optimization fund cannot be used to fund priorities not supported by this committee as well these resolutions include a new clause requiring GSA to provide updated spend plans prior to the expenditure of funds with that I support resolution support both resolutions and urge my colleagues to do the Any
▶ 0:36:22other members wish to be heard? Scar
▶ 0:36:27Mr. Chairman, on the resolution, I I rise in strong opposition to this GSA resolution. And let's be very clear about what we're considering today. This isn't just about moving offices around federal buildings. This is about whether Congress is going to rubber stamp another stamp in the Trump administration's effort to dismantle the Department of Education.
▶ 0:36:49The administration has already illegally cut more than500 employees in the Department of Education's move various functions to other agencies. The department's own inspector general says these cuts have undermined its ability to do Cong the job Congress has assigned it. Now, they're using these cuts as an excuse to take away the department's headquarters. Let's be clear.
▶ 0:37:12If they close their offices, we may not be able to rebuild the Department of Educations, even if the Democrats win back Congress and the White House. That's not good governance. That's not cost savings. That's manufacturing the problem just to justify an out an outcome that they wanted all along. That is the destruction of public education in this country. Taxpayer dollars are aren't being used to strengthen the nation's education systems or to help our students and to succeed.
▶ 0:37:40They're being used to make it harder for any future Congress and administration to restore the Department of Education to its full strength. This year's the president's budget requests includes billions of dollars in cuts to America's public schools and universities. Meanwhile, the president has requested a 35% increase for nuclear weapons programs in the Department of Energy, which is the department that is to move into the Department of Education's headquarters.
▶ 0:38:09This year, the administration's requested $98 billion for nuclear weapons and only 75 billion for the entire Department of Education. Should we compare that? Yes, we should. We consider we should consider our priorities. It's bad enough that Trump wants to spend more money on weapons than on education, but we should not be complicit in this process.
▶ 0:38:34We should also be very much aware that there's discussion that the Department of Edge will move to some other building somewhere else in this city. Well, maybe that's true, but that's not in this resolution. It's not anywhere near it. So, let's be very, very clear about this. This administration wants to dump the books, burn the books, and build the bombs. That's where this is all going. So, step back for a moment. Take a look at what we're doing here.
▶ 0:39:02We are viscerating the the education role of the federal government in the universities, in support for students, and in and in research and beyond. If this committee approves this resolution, we've allowed one more irreversible step towards dismantling the Department of Education. I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution for those reasons.
▶ 0:39:25I yield back I strongly support this resolution. I have worked for more than a decade to dispose of the Department of Energy headquarters to facilitate the development of the Southwest Federal Center into a thriving mixeduse neighborhood which will generate tax revenue, housing, and amenities
▶ 0:39:56for the District of Columbia. This resolution is necessary to do begin the disposal of the Department of Energy's headquarters. While I strongly oppose the Trump illegally dismantling of the Department of Education, this resolution is about the Department of Energy, not the Department of Education.
▶ 0:40:21The Department of Education will be leaving its headquarters and moving a block away into a federal leased vacant 12story class A office building at 500D Street.
▶ 0:40:36Regardless of whether the do department of energy leaves or stays in its current headquarters, the Forest All Building, the General Services Administration confirmed in writing yesterday that it has existing funding and authority to move the Department of Education to 500D Street and that the Department of Education's move is not contingent on the outcome
▶ 0:41:07of this resolution. In short, voting no on this resolution blocks the Department of Energy, not the Department of Education from moving. I urge members to vote yes on this
▶ 0:41:27Representative Larson.
▶ 0:41:28Yeah, just just clarify something. the the resolution in particular is we're we're addressing these on block. Uh but the one in particular that they're discussing is um listed as uh POP 001 MU26 the second one just for members clarification on that. Thanks. Thank
▶ 0:41:50Anyone else wish to be heard? Seeing no one, are there any amendments to the GSA uh resolutions in block
▶ 0:42:06Are you proposing an unblock vote here?
▶ 0:42:09We've already adopted that.
▶ 0:42:11Nobody objected.
▶ 0:42:12We did. [clears throat]
▶ 0:42:15Hearing none. The question is now on adoption of GSA resolutions on block. All those in favor signify by saying I.
▶ 0:42:22All oppose signify by saying nay. Nay.
▶ 0:42:26The opinion of the chair. The eyes have
▶ 0:42:28Why don't we have a vote here?
▶ 0:42:32Recorded vote.
▶ 0:42:33Gentlemen requested recorded vote on GSA resolutions on block as previously announced. Pursuant to committee rule 6F. Further proceedings on the question um will be postponed. Our next [clears throat] item for consideration is HR 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026. This is our word of bill. I'd ask unanimous consent to discharge the subcommittee on water resources and environment from further consideration of HR 9497 without objection.
▶ 0:43:04That is so ordered. I now call up the bill for consideration. Without objection, the first reading of the bill is dispensed with. The bill is now considered as read and open for amendment at any point. Recognize myself to offer an amendment the nature of a substitute. Clerk, please designate designate
▶ 0:43:22an [clears throat] amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Chairman Graves.
▶ 0:43:29Without objection, the amendment in the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read and shall be considered as the base text for further amendment. I recognize myself for uh five minutes for a quick statement. Today we are considering the water resources development act of 2026 proudly continuing the banial tradition of advancing word of bills in this This Congress marks the seventh consecutive Congress to consider WA legislation since returning to a regular two-year schedule in 2014.
▶ 0:44:00And I'm proud that this committee continues to find common ground and work together to develop this very crucial um piece of legislation. Consistent word of authorizations allow for the Army Corps of Engineers to build and maintain safe and reliable water infrastructure across the country, keeping the nation's waterways navigable, our neighborhoods protected, and maximizing the benefits of water resources for all Americans.
▶ 0:44:26WRA is a member-driven process, and I'd like to recognize the nearly 350 members that submitted requests for this year's WA process. This year we received over 2,000 member submissions and these submissions are an essential part of the process that guide the committee in developing a bill that addresses the water infrastructure needs across the country.
▶ 0:44:48This bill maximizes the core's ability to work with non-federal sponsors to study and construct w major water infrastructure projects across the country by streamlining the core's processes, empowering local stakeholders, and enhancing infrastructure resilience throughout our nation's inland and coastal waterways.
▶ 0:45:07For Missouri, this bill takes action to strengthen our flood control system by expanding the ways our levy owners can work with the core to provide resilient flood risk infrastructure for our along the inland waterways. Word of 2026 provides necessary streamline assistance to levy districts facing realignment and maintenance changes.
▶ 0:45:30Further, the bill strengthens Missou's representation in the Missouri River management through interstate collaborations like a new upper Missouri Riverbased and sedimentation study. Word of [clears throat] 2026 makes targeted and common sense reforms to allow the core to deliver resilient infrastructure through the country that will enhance our nation's navigable waterways, solidify our flood risk management infrastructure, and protect our waters.
▶ 0:45:57Our nation just celebrated its 250th birthday and this bill authorizes the core to make important investments in building and expanding our nation's infrastructure to prepare for the next 250 years. And I'd like to reiterate my thanks to uh subcommittee chairman Mike Collins and ranking member Larson and subcommittee ranking member Wilson for their work in continuing the bipartisan tradition of considering word of bills in this committee. And I now recognize Rick for his statement.
▶ 0:46:28Thank you. Um, in the interest of of time moving things along, I have a excellent seven we're a seven-page statement that I will send to anybody who wants a copy of it. Um, Marilyn Strickland's on the record for that. Uh, but I would encourage folks to support the bill and let's get moving. Got to yield back.
▶ 0:46:48Anyone else? Represent Collins.
▶ 0:46:55Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh thank you for your leadership and support also in developing this important piece of legislation. I uh I would also like to thank my colleagues, Ranking Member Lson and Ranking Member Wilson for their partnership in developing the Water uh Resources Development Act of 2026. Um, this bill would not be possible without the input from my colleagues throughout the House of Representatives.
▶ 0:47:18And I'm proud to say that this bill addresses the water resource needs of communities throughout the country from Lake Laneir in Georgia to the port of Long Beach in California. As chairman of the water resources and environment subcommittee, I've had the opportunity to travel across the country to visit dozens of core projects, learn firsthand what it is to take to build resilient infrastructure, and hear what these projects mean to local communities. I stood at top the attics and barker reservoirs in Texas.
▶ 0:47:48I walked through the Rio delata in Puerto Rico and I toured the Chikamaga Lock and Dam in Tennessee. These experiences have reinforced my understanding of the core's mission and the importance of ensuring our nation continues to invest in safe, resilient, and future ready infrastructure. The water process is a grassroots effort.
▶ 0:48:08At its heart, this bill starts with our local communities, and we thank all of the nearly 350 congressional offices that did the outreach and made their constituents voices heard in developing this bill. Following the Trump administration's historic announcement building infrastructure, not paperwork, water 2026 makes targeted improvements to the Army Corps, limiting the federal overreach and empowering local communities to make resilient infrastructure investments.
▶ 0:48:37American ports, harbors, and inter coastal waterways are the nation's economic backbone. Order 2026 empowers the core to enhance our waterways which are the are vital for the nation's economic strength, reliable supply chains and commercial navigation. Water 2026 delivers for Georgia and the country as a whole. This bill strengthens several programs and establishes an office to expand alternative delivery methods within the core.
▶ 0:49:07Alternative delivery methods provide non-federal sponsors greater f flexibility to work with the core and get projects done faster. Further, this bill protects our economy and reduces the risk of interruptions to commuter uh commercial navigation by providing the core necessary flexibility in implementing dredge material managed I'm especially proud that this bill expands on the core's ability to contract with local law enforcement to help protect
▶ 0:49:37life and property at recreation areas such as campgrounds. By empowering local communities, we are shifting power away from Washington and toward the states, local sponsors, and property owners. HR 9497 makes targeted reforms to reduce federal bottlenecks and gives locals a seat at the table to drive project priorities. These are just a handful of the many ways Water 2026 invests in America.
▶ 0:50:05Again, I want to thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larson, and Ranking Member Wilson for their hard work in putting this bill together. [clears throat] I also want to thank my fellow committee members for their contributions to the water process. and I urge my colleagues to support this build and yield back my
▶ 0:50:21Mr. Titus,
▶ 0:50:27I'm sorry I didn't understand you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, thank you, Chairman, Ranking Member Larson, and your staffs for working to negotiate this strong bipartisan bill. It does address, as you heard, water challenges in all regions. I'm especially concerned about the arid southwest. I represent the heart of southern Nevada and if you're familiar with my district, you know that water is the cornerstone of lives and livelihoods.
▶ 0:50:52But both are at risk now because of the prolonged drought and increasing arridity in the Colorado River basin. On average, natural flows from the tributaries of the Colorado River are 20% less today than they were in the last century. Year after year, the communities along the river consume more water than is available.
▶ 0:51:15And despite that truth, states have yet to come to an agreement for what will happen when the operating guidelines for the river expire this year. So, we need to use all the tools that we have to conserve water and mitigate this crisis. While this may be seen as a western issue today, more and more communities are going to be experiencing prolonged droughts and water insecurity as the climate continues to change.
▶ 0:51:42That's why I'm glad that word 2026 strengthens the Army Corps of Engineers role in protecting our water supplies. For example, it includes provisions I champion to create an office of water supply, water conservation, and drought resilience. Having dedicated staff at the Army Corps focused on water supply issues will make a world of difference going forward.
▶ 0:52:06The bill also establishes a new continuing authority for the core to carry out smallcale projects for drought resiliency and it directs the Army Corps to consider the impact of data centers on water supply and conservation projects. This is an increasingly uh important issue that we see in the news today. Consider that about twothirds of the upcoming data centers are slated to be built in regions uh experiencing drought.
▶ 0:52:36Communities want transparency about how this influx of data centers is impacting their water supply. Just last week, the Bureau of Land Management managed to greenlight a data center in my congressional district without any public engagement. Now, while the bill before us today is not a silver bullet to deliver on transparency, it certainly starts the conversation at the federal level.
▶ 0:53:00I'm also pleased the bill includes provisions I championed to create a pilot program on using natural infrastructure in dryland streams in aid and droughtprone regions. This pilot program will be beneficial in Nevada where 88% of streams are ephemeral. That includes our Amagosa River, which was recently labeled one of the country's most endangered rivers.
▶ 0:53:25I'm also proud to have carried provisions that made it in the bill that will help projects currently underway in Nevada, including the Truckucky River flood management project. Uh, also are provisions to add projects that mitigate aquatic and invasive species to the list of authorized projects under the Tahoe section 108 program. Invasive species like the New Zealand mud snail threaten Lake Tahoe and its bustling tourism and outdoor recreation area.
▶ 0:53:55Uh uh in closing, I think there are great provisions in here that impact all of our districts. Word of 2026 is a major step forward for water policy and I'm proud to support it and I yield back.
▶ 0:54:11Mr. Webster.
▶ 0:54:14Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just would like to ask for unanimous consent to include a letter of support for the water bill from the Port of Tampa Bay. Without objection,
▶ 0:54:28Mr. Carbajal.
▶ 0:54:30Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to add my voice in support of the Water Resource Development Act of 2026 before us today. WRA is an important bipartisan bill we consider in this committee because it is how Congress helps make real investments in our communities. For my district in the central coast of California, I am proud that this bill delivers meaningful results.
▶ 0:54:54All five of the section 219 environmental infrastructure projects I submitted were included in this legislation totaling million for communities across my district. That includes 30 million for the Losivo's community district to modernize critical wastewater infrastructure. 25 million for the city of Ohio to improve water reliability and environmental sustainability.
▶ 0:55:226.3 million for the city of Lampoke for essential water infrastructure improvements, 3.2 million for the Summerland sanitary district to upgrade aging waist wastewater systems and 2 million for the city of Salv water infrastructure. These may not be flashy projects, but they make a difference for everyday Central Coast residents.
▶ 0:55:46They mean cleaner water, safer communities, stronger drought resilience, and better quality of life for people we represent. I am also pleased that this bill authorizes the Army Corps to move forward with repairs to the Mororrow Bay reventment and seaw wall. This is a critical infrastructure that protects Mororrow Bay Harbor, supports maritime commerce, and safeguards the local economy.
▶ 0:56:10In addition, this legislation includes a directive to the court to prioritize the city of Lumpok's storm water improvement study, which is essential to addressing flooding risks and improving public safety. Despite all the noise and posturing that happens in Washington, I am glad to be part of a process that shows that when we work together, we can bring federal resources home to help local communities. This is why I came to Congress to deliver results for my constituents.
▶ 0:56:38At a time when families are facing higher utility bills and local water systems are struggling with aging infrastructure, we cannot afford to delay these investments. By helping communities modernize their water infrastructure now, WA can reduce costly emergency repairs, improve system efficiency, and help keep water costs more affordable for American families.
▶ 0:57:02I want to thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larson, Chairman Collins, Ranking Member Wilson, and all of the staff for their work in putting together this strong bipartisan bill. I urge my colleagues to support its passage. Mr. Chair, I yield back. Dr. Babin.
▶ 0:57:25Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Ranking Member Larson for your leadership for holding today's markup. I also want to thank Chairman Graves uh for his continued work on this legislation and his commitment to strengthening our nation's water resources infrastructure. We are here today to consider the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, a bipartisan bill that reflects Congress's long-standing commitment to investing in America's ports, waterways, flood control systems, and other critical infrastructure.
▶ 0:57:55Through WERA, we provide the US Army Corps of Engineers with the direction and tools that they need to keep our economy moving and our communities protected. This legislation has a significant impact on southeast Texas. My district is home to some of the nation's most critical energy and maritime assets, including Port of Houston, the Houston Ship Channel, Cedarport area, and communities that rely on efficient navigation infrastructure and strong flood protection.
▶ 0:58:25These assets support thousands of jobs, strengthen our nation's energy security, and help keep American commerce moving. I'm very pleased that this bill includes several provisions that will directly benefit Southeast Texas by clarifying harbor maintenance trust fund allocation requirements for donor and energy transfer ports, authorizing the review of excess federal lands in Chambers, Galveastston, and Harris counties, and expediting the Cedarport feasibility study.
▶ 0:58:54This legislation will strengthen our region's infrastructure, support economic growth, and ensure Southeast Texas remains a critical engine of of American commerce. These are meaningful improvements that will help move critical projects forward, strengthen our ports, and better serve the communities and industries that depend on them.
▶ 0:59:14Beyond Texas, this legislation strengthens the CORE's ability to streamline project delivery, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, increase accountability, and give non-federal partners greater flexibility to advance locally driven projects. Strong ports and inland waterways are essential to our economy and vital to our nation's energy security, supply chain resilience, and long-term competitiveness.
▶ 0:59:42For years, word has been one of Congress's most successful bipartisan efforts because it focuses on practical infrastructure investments that deliver lasting benefits to communities nationwide. I appreciate the work that has gone into this legislation and I look forward to supporting its advancement today. And I yield back, Mr.
▶ 1:00:06Mr. Stanton.
▶ 1:00:07Thank you very much, uh, Mr. chairman and the chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larson and Committee Chairman Wilson uh and actually Committee Chairman Collins and Ranking Member Wilson. I apologize. I appreciate your leadership in shaping this important legislation for our nation's water resources infrastructure. Our nation's infrastructure needs a shot in the arm. That's true for dams and washes as it is for roads and bridges. Nowhere is that clearer than in my home state of Arizona.
▶ 1:00:37Far too long, the federal government has failed to deliver long-term investments we needed to address decadesl long drought and aging infrastructure. And Arizona's water security is tied up now more than ever in the ongoing Colorado River compact negotiations. Colorado River, a critical piece of our water supply portfolio, is nearing a crisis point. The river's reservoir res reservoirs are at historic lows due to hotter temperatures and little snow, putting critical hydropower infrastructure at risk.
▶ 1:01:08And even though Arizona uses less water today than it did 60 years ago, we'll have to make new sacrifices and significant investments to protect our water supplies and help communities hit hard by drought. I'm the only one from Arizona on this important committee. I'll make sure the federal government is a full partner as we address the challenges ahead. Word of 26 offers us a real bipartisan opportunity to put that partnership to work.
▶ 1:01:32The bill advances strong drought resiliency provisions, a new office of water supply and drought resilience, a new continuing authority program for small drought projects, and new authorities to tackle invasive species and restore w restore water storage capacity. It includes 30 Arizona specific projects from Phoenix's Trace Rio's ecosystem restoration work and to flood control efforts in Panol County. This bill also builds on Arizona's own environmental infrastructure authority that I created six years ago.
▶ 1:02:02This EI program extended a lifeline for our communities and tribal nations that are facing increasing uncertainty over their water supply. Today, we're adding another 151 million to that authority. Our communities are investing in water lines, wells, wastewater systems, aquafar recharge projects to stretch every drop of water as far as it can go. We funded two dozen projects under the Arizona Environmental Infrastructure Authority. And according to the core, there's 40 more communities hoping their projects move forward next.
▶ 1:02:33But here's the frustrating reality. Of the more than two dozen projects Arizona Environmental Infrastructure Authority funded, less than 10 have broken ground. That's unworkable. Our communities cannot wait years for projects that are needed today. The core has begun to streamline NEPA processes and expand categorical exclusions for EI projects. I'm committed to ensuring permitting processes do not delay and drive up costs for critical works. As al I've also fought for rural and tribal communities to have greater access to those investments.
▶ 1:03:02While this while this bill expands key partnerships, Congress must do more to eliminate barriers across programs and lower federal cost shares for communities that need assistance most. Speed, efficiency, and equity must be our standards as we go forward. So, I look forward to working with the chair and ranking member to advance these common sense reforms. Arizona's facing a once- ina century challenge. WRA 2026 is the water infrastructure boost that our communities need.
▶ 1:03:30So, thank you to ranking member Larson, Chairman Graves, the water resources subcommittee for your important work on this bill. and I'm glad to keep working together to make sure all Arizona communities, city, tribal, rural, can make the most of their water supply. Thank you. I yield
▶ 1:03:45Gentleman yields. Mr. Nells.
▶ 1:03:46Mr. Chairman, thank you for recognizing me. The the Water Resources Development Act has long been one of the best examples of Congress working to invest in America's infrastructure, strengthen our economy, and ensure the US C Army Corps of Engineers has the tools necessary to keep our waterways, ports, flood control projects, and navigation systems functioning safely and efficiently. For Texas, this bill couldn't come at a more important time.
▶ 1:04:12The Texas GF Coast is one of the most economically significant regions in the United States. Our ports move hundreds of billions of dollars in commerce every year, support millions of jobs, strengthen our nation's energy security, and serve as critical gateways for both domestic and international trade. The Port Houston complex alone is one of the busiest ports in America, handling record volumes of cargo while serving as the backbone of our nation's prochemical and energy industries.
▶ 1:04:41Our ports are essential to the strength of both the Texas and nation economically. That's why I work to ensure where to build delivers meaningful results for Texas. Reliable water supply is essential to our nation's economy, our manufacturers, our communities, and our future. In Texas, we understand that firsthand.
▶ 1:05:00Approximately 33% of the U nation's US Army Corps water supply storage space is in Texas and is vital to meet growing water demands across the state and in my district. Anyone who has worked with the Army Corps of Engineers knows that projects can take decades to move forward. And I know the agency has taken steps to try to speed up these timelines with their new building infrastructure not paperwork initiative. The following provisions further support that.
▶ 1:05:29Section 101B creates a dedicated office of water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency to coordinate policy, improve communication with local partners like the Brazis River Authority in my district, and help ensure the core fully implements the important water supply authorities Congress enacted in subtitle B of water 2024.
▶ 1:05:51Section 132 reinforces the need to maximize the use of existing authorities while explicitly recognizing municipal, industrial, and agriculture water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency along the core's other missions. Together, these sections help turn this committee's vision of water to 2024 into real action for our communities.
▶ 1:06:13They elevate water supply and national conservation, make the cores a better partner to comm community uh to communities across the country and ensure we're using every available tool to strengthen American prosperity. I was proud to also secure several important priorities in this word of legislation.
▶ 1:06:31The bill directs the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the feasibility study for the Madagorta ship channel, helping ensure the port of Port Lvaka, Point Comfort, can support continued commercial growth. It also clarifies harbor maintenance trust fund allocations to better ensure donor and energy transfer ports, uh, including many in Texas, receive a fair return on the funds they generate.
▶ 1:06:57The legislation further requires a comprehensive study of the nation's inland and inter coastal waterways, establishes a new office of inland navigation construction management to improve project delivery, and encourages uh more efficient multi-year contracting priorities.
▶ 1:07:13It also reauthorizes key core civil works authorities uh through 2030 and provides new environmental infrastructure authority for Bizoria, Fort Ben, and Galveston counties while increasing existing authority for Armarillo to strengthen critical water infrastructure across Texas. Mr. Chairman, Texas continues to lead the nation in population growth, energy production, manufacturing, exports, international commerce. Our infrastructure must keep pace with that success.
▶ 1:07:44This word bill makes smart investments that will strengthen navigation, improve project delivery, support economic growth, and ensure our ports and waterways remain globally competitive for decades to come. I appreciate the collaborative work that went into this legislation, and I look forward to supporting its passage. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Mrs. Sykes is recognized.
▶ 1:08:19Thank you uh to the chairman and the ranking member for holding today's markup and also uh a special shout out to Chair Collins and ranking member Wilson for their work on the subcommittee. Strong water infrastructure is something every community depends on and I'm proud to have fought for the seventh consecutive bipartisan water resources development act reauthorization that will help address critical needs in Ohio's 13th congressional district as well as across the nation.
▶ 1:08:47Chief among the policies in this bill is an additional $50 million authorization for environmental infrastructure authorities in my district. This investment will allow the US Army Corps of Engineers to provide their expertise to critical water and sewer infrastructure projects that improve our local communities and strengthen our economic competitiveness.
▶ 1:09:07Under the Summit County Environmental Authority, $50 million has been authorized to fund projects such as the village of Lakemore storm water pond and water treatment system programs, vi the village of Richfield's new storm water catch basin project, the city of Fairlon Shakalog run fish passage restoration project, and the city of Monroe Falls Kyahoga River signage project.
▶ 1:09:30Under the Stark County New Authority, $49 million has been authorized to fund projects such as the Canton Chromemer water storage reservoir replacement project. There are also improvements to the Ohio Erie Canal Lock 4 Park and North Lawrence's sanitary sewer project. This bill also includes a language ensuring the Army Corps of Engineers can repair the city of Masselin Sleuth Gates under section under the section 8152 program.
▶ 1:09:57This will resolve the flooding issues caused by the gates deteriorating condition, an issue that the city has been trying to rectify for many years. Parts of my water trans water water reservoir transparency act that is being co-led with rep. Scolton also made it into the bill. It would protect and strengthen water resources in Ohio and across the country by requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to assess how new commercial and industrial uses such as data centers are impacting [clears throat] water reservoirs.
▶ 1:10:24I thank Congresswoman Scolton for her leadership in this bill and addressing an issue that is impacting all of our congressional districts and communities across the country. Finally, the bill would expedite the core's finalization of beneficial use for the Port of Cleveland. That will speed up the creation of the 100 acre parkland and habitat greenway along Cleveland's Lake Erie shoreline, bringing additional construction jobs and economic activity to Northeast Ohio.
▶ 1:10:51While there is much to celebrate in this word, I want to convey my to my colleagues that the authorization bills alone do not bring funding home to my district or yours without the necessary appropriations. And while I know it is not the jurisdiction of this committee to appropriate funds, I would encourage the appropriations committee to actually appropriate the funds that we authorize as not funding it will push back the development and job growth of our communities by years and sometimes decades.
▶ 1:11:18This is not the end of the road and I will continue to urge the House Appropriations Committee to fully fund the Summit and Stark County environmental infrastructure authorizations as well all of the others that increase jobs, development, and affordable clean water. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity and I yield back.
▶ 1:11:37General Lady yields. Mr. Rouser is
▶ 1:11:40Thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman. Water is one of the most important bills this committee considers as it directly impacts communities across the country, especially coastal and flood-prone communities like mine in southeastern North Carolina. Water bills produced on a consistent two-year cycle ensure the Army Corps of Engineers has the direction needed to implement the objectives of Congress to protect life, property, and strengthen our maritime infrastructure.
▶ 1:12:07So, I'm especially pleased provisions for North Carolina's 7th district are in this bill, including authorization of the Surf City Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. This long- aaited beach nourishment project will help protect the Surf City community from future storms, flooding, and erosion. The project has been decades in the making, and after extensive study, review, and continued advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels, today's bill is a major milestone.
▶ 1:12:36So, I especially want to commend Surf City's local leaders for their tireless commitment and advocacy. The bill also authorizes flood risk management feasibility studies for the Wakama River Basin around Whiteville, which continues to experience flooding issues in their lower downtown area, the Cross Creek wershed in Fagville, a major flooding risk through residential areas of that city, and the town of Topppsel Beach to combat inland flooding from flood tides.
▶ 1:13:05The bill also authorizes a feasibility study for the water supply of the Capefir River and ecosystem restoration around Cumberland County. Additionally, the bill authorizes 40 million for water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure in White Lake. All these provisions will help protect homes, businesses, and communities throughout my district while strengthening resilience for the long term.
▶ 1:13:30I especially want to thank the chairman, the ranking member, the subcommittee chairman and subcommittee ranking member for their great leadership to produce yet again another great water bill holding true to the bianual process that has served this nation so well. I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation and I yield back.
▶ 1:13:49Gentleman yields. Miss Scolton is Thank you, Chair Graves and uh Collins, ranking members Larson and Wilson for your hard work in putting together a strong bipartisan WERA. I am thrilled to support a seventh consecutive WERA uh to address local water resources uh that are needed while tackling affordability and bolstering resiliency.
▶ 1:14:14One look at a map or a satellite image of our state will tell you that water is truly a way of life in Michigan. Families and friends come together to enjoy our great lakes. Communities are supported by jobs at our hardworking ports. Farmers need water to grow our famous specialty crops like Michigan cherries, blueberries, and apples. And this bill will protect Michigan's water resources for generations to come. something that benefits the entire country.
▶ 1:14:44I'm so proud of what I've been able to accomplish in this bill. Word of 2026 includes a whopping 15 million in new environmental infrastructure authorizations between Kent, Ottawa, Moskegan in my district, these these counties in my district as well as the state of Michigan to invest in drinking water, wastewater, storm water, and related infrastructure.
▶ 1:15:07I'm so proud of my water reservoir transparency act to assess commercial and industrial impacts uh on the core uh particularly with respect to data centers. The bill also also authorizes a critical watershed study for Moskegan River expedites the completion of an erosion and shoreline protection projects in Moskegan Heights.
▶ 1:15:28Word of 2026 ensures local collaboration on water resource projects which will boost communication between the the core state and local governments during maintenance dredging. This is essential for communities like Grand Haven, Michigan, where potential dredging delays have risked local jobs and potential detrimental impacts on our supply chain.
▶ 1:15:51The bill additionally looks after our Great Lakes communities by adjusting wage rates for employees at the Sue locks, reauthorizing the Great Lakes Commission, and tackling invasive species and plants. Finally, the bill reauthorizes FEMA's high hazard potential dam program, which is particularly important after Michigan's statewide flooding this year. Again, I am so proud of this committee's work on Word of 2026.
▶ 1:16:15I'm excited to support this bipartisan effort and to ensure generations to come can enjoy more affordable, resilient water in the future. Thank you and I yield back. General lady yields. I'll recognize myself for a brief statement. Uh, first I want to thank Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larson for holding this markup today and I'm proud to speak in favor of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026.
▶ 1:16:41As this bill delivers sound investments to our nation's water infrastructure in southeastern Ohio, some communities continue to face challenges in obtaining the necessary water infrastructure to supply running water in their communities. I'm proud that in the underlying bill there are over $32 million in authorizations across southeastern Ohio which once funded will help local communities with water supply, water storage, and wastewater treatment plant upgrades.
▶ 1:17:06This bill also establishes categorical categorical permissions allowing for projects modifying Army Corps infrastructure to be constructed without the normal lengthy bureaucratic process. After many communities in my district struggled to obtain these permits from the core, I am proud to see these provisions included. I represent several counties along the Ohio River, which is one of the most vital inland waterways for the United States supply chain.
▶ 1:17:30Each year, the Ohio River transports roughly 270 million tons of cargo and connects critical energy markets to the Mississippi River, the Gulf of America, and the world. Water Resources Development Act of 2026 makes sound investments in water infrastructure across southeastern Ohio, establishes programs vital to the Ohio River like the Office of Inland Navigation Construction, and reforms the Army Corps operations to speed up project timelines.
▶ 1:17:57I'm proud to support the ANS and urge my colleagues to support this vital piece of legislation. I yield back and we'll now recognize Miss Wilson. Chair Graves, Ranking Member Larson, and Subcommittee Chair Collins, I'm proud to stand with you as we present
▶ 1:18:27the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 to the committee. When I discuss the Water Resources Development Act to my colleagues, I highlight [laughter] the consistency and bipartisanship. When I first got to Congress in 2011, I noticed something about WERA. There was no consistency.
▶ 1:18:53We saw Wera in 1999 and 2000, but not another until 2007. and then not another until 2014. This inconsistency was unacceptable. So I gathered my fellow Floridaidians, Democrats and Republicans, and we formed the Florida ports caucus.
▶ 1:19:21We, as Flidians, advocated for our deep water ports, the Everglades, and a consistent word cycle. We sat in the committee as one of the largest delegations. So I worked with Representative Posey and we launched the caucus. Today our bipartisan Florida ports caucus continues now with Mr. Herodopoulos as my co-chair.
▶ 1:19:50Now 12 years after word of 2014, we sit here having passed the bipartisan word into law. every single Congress since 2014. I've seen the spirit of bipartisanship ensure that we can tackle big goals in Florida.
▶ 1:20:13We have seen the importance of word as we watch the creation of the comprehensive Everglades restoration plant in word 2000 and we s we see how far we have come in the last 26 years and in this word I continue to see the commitment to the Everglades.
▶ 1:20:35We see additional commitments to the Everglades, including authorizations for the Lake Okachchobee watershed restoration and the central Everglades planning project. I see commitments for both of my counties with the Broward County Backbased Study, the Central and Southern Florida flood resiliency efforts, and an authorization for North Miami.
▶ 1:21:04And I saw commitments to my ports with both Port Everglades and Port Miami seeing key commitments in this bill. This word delivers for all communities large, small, rural, and urban. In this bill, we are authorizing the next generation of projects and studies.
▶ 1:21:29We are addressing by supporting our economically disadvantaged communities and we are actively addressing the resiliency needs that we are seeing nationwide. As this will be my last word, I am extremely grateful for this committee. Being a member of TNI has allowed me to deliver for my community.
▶ 1:21:58As this committee plans for the next word, both data centers and PFAS must be in focus. Around the country, we are seeing water resources at risk due to major data center construction.
▶ 1:22:18And with PFAS, the forever chemicals, we cannot continue to allow new forever chemicals while attempting to improve our environment. Still, I want to thank you all for this successful bill. And Mr. Chair, I yield back.
▶ 1:22:39General Lady yields. Mr. Fuller is
▶ 1:22:44Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larson, Chairman Collins, Ranking Member Wilson, and colleagues. Thank you for your leadership on maintaining the regular two-year water cycle. I speak today in support of sections 101B and 132, two provisions that elevate the role of water supply within the US Army Corps of Engineer Engineers.
▶ 1:23:06As our home state of Georgia has seen during its growth in recent years, reliable water supply from core reser reservoirs isn't a nice to have, it's a mustave. Um, Alatuna Lake and Lake the Lake Lineer districts in my district and our state have provided the foundation for our continued growth. These provisions help ensure the core has the tools to support growing communities, strengthen our economy, and secure America's water future.
▶ 1:23:34Unfortunately, core projects in recent years haven't been f been known for their speed. These provisions help change that. Section 101B creates a dedicated office of water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency. Section 132 reinforces the need to maximize the use of existing authorities while explicitly recognizing municipal, industrial, and agricultural water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency alongside the core's other missions.
▶ 1:24:05Together, these sections help turn WA 2024 into action. They elevate water supply and the national conver conversation, make the core a better partner to communities across the country, and ensure we're using every available tool to strengthen American prosperity. We all rely on the staff here, and I appreciate Ryan Hamilton and his team at Water Resources and Nick Christensen and the full committee staff.
▶ 1:24:32I thank both Chairman Graves and the R and ranking member Larson for their bipartisan leadership and I urge my colleagues to support these important provisions. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 1:24:44The gentleman yields. Miss Poe is
▶ 1:24:47Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Larson, and committee staff for your work to bring this uh legislation before us today. I strongly support this bill. Whether it's flooding, pollution, or treating wastewater, water policy impacts This is why it is vital that we pass this word reauthorization, which provides over $6 billion in critical
▶ 1:25:18water investment. This bill provides funding for flood mitigation, environmental cleanup, and wastewater management. all issues that are critical in for New Jersey. This bill also includes my cleanup act. Contaminated waterways like the lower saddle river basin in my district has long been avoided by the Army Corps of Engineers through federal help is absolutely desperately needed.
▶ 1:25:49My cleanup act allows the Army Corps of Engineers to finally tackle contaminated waterways so long as the projects comply with EPA plan for each site. The flooding has continued too long and I am proud that my bill will help resolve this while protecting our community and the conservation of our natural water uh ways.
▶ 1:26:18At the same time, this broader bill will also direct the Army Corps of Engineers to speed up the flood flood controls and mitigation projects for at least eight projects in my district.
▶ 1:26:33In addition to expediting projects in the city of Clifton and the Hackinack Meadowlands as well, I am also excited that we were able to include the MA in the manager's amendment the hats east riser construction authorization. This is a critical flood risk reduction project for New Jersey and I am glad that we were able to secure this win.
▶ 1:27:01Prioritizing delayed projects like these in communities struggling with flooding is essential for families and businesses living with this threat. Additionally, today we are establishing a new office of water supply conservation and drought which will help the roughly 7.3 million New Jerseyians in droughtprone areas.
▶ 1:27:29This office will increase water supply, bolster and uh emergency drought operations, and connect state and local governments to federal funding. For towns like mine with schools and homes bordering Pake and Packinac rivers, they know that when storms roll through, rivers surge, water levels rise, and it is ultimately residents who pay the price.
▶ 1:27:57This bill is a strong first step to make sure this doesn't keep happening. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. Gentle lady yields. Mr. Gallagher is recognized.
▶ 1:28:11Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, it is my honor to support this word of a day. uh as this is exactly why I came to Congress in the first place to put a real focus on the rural communities of Northern California. Uh it also highlights the real need to have representation, true representation in in Northern California so that these many communities have that focus and have real results.
▶ 1:28:41someone who knows the issues and who lives and breathes the Sacramento Valley. Doug Lalfa was that man and I am happy to continue that work uh in in this role. Uh at the heart of Northern California, the lifeblood is the Sacramento River uh which I grew up on. I grew up fishing those waters. Uh our farm relied on those waters to irrigate our crops.
▶ 1:29:09Um, and this word helps invest $155 million in that Sacramento River basin. Much needed projects uh from water and wastewater infrastructure that will help support water reliability, certainty that we will have that water in the future. Uh because all too often in California, our water rights are under attack.
▶ 1:29:34In fact, they currently are uh by the California government, by the water resources control board, by regulations. But this word helps ensure those co-equal goals of ensuring water reliability and environmental restoration and sustainability on the Sacra River are met by authorizing these investments. It also ensures surface water protection and long overdue upgrades in our rural communities.
▶ 1:30:03One of those rural communities is the town of Robins. Uh most people probably wouldn't be able to pick it out on a map, but it's an important community. It's one of these small rural communities that needs investments. I started working with that community when I was a county supervisor. Today, this word helps ensure wastewater uh sewer line replacement can happen in that community. Much much needed. uh and for rural communities across the state of California, across this great nation who need that investment.
▶ 1:30:32This bill directs the core to begin forecast informed reservoir operations. What does that mean? It means better management of our water by ensuring that when we operate our dams and reservoirs, we're ensuring that we're using the latest technology and weather forecasting to ensure that we store as much of that water as possible, but also to be ready for releases when we have uh a large snow pack that could threaten communities downstream
▶ 1:31:02as happened with Orville Dam uh when we had a very wet season and that dam fell apart. This word helps ensure that won't happen again that we won't have those kinds of issues because it is making an investment for instance in black but dam to ensure that those dam safety reviews are done on time and timely to ensure that our existing infra infrastructure one is maintained but it's also operated
▶ 1:31:33to the maximum ability to make sure that we have water when we need it. I'm also proud that this word ensures that that lifeblood will be there for the great crops of Northern California. I heard my colleague talk about some of the crops uh in her district. But peaches, prunes, walnuts, almonds, rice, tomatoes, alalfa, all grown in that great Northern California uh that the world relies upon.
▶ 1:32:01uh we this word helps ensure that that investment maintains and that doesn't just help my district it helps people across this great world uh have food and nourishment uh now and into the future. Um I also want to highlight that this this word puts a focus on wildfire and on drought resiliency. Uh we have had countless wildfires uh in Northern California.
▶ 1:32:30All over this word is is a focus on wildfire on resiliency on ensuring um that we have drought relief as well that we put a focus on making sure that we can be more resilient in droughts in these dry conditions. Uh so many different fronts where this word of bill helps ensure investments uh in my district but certainly throughout this great nation.
▶ 1:32:59And what I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for is is to is for making those investments for hearing from all of us. But from hearing from this representative from Northern California where many where where all too often we are overlooked uh and and especially by our state government many times uh but by having a voice here in this building by having a true representative we're able to secure these investments in rural California and I I am greatly thankful for this
▶ 1:33:29this word reflects what this committee does best practical communitydriven solutions that strengthen infrastructure, that improve resiliency, and deliver real value to the people we represent. So, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, um, and and the ranking member, and all the subcommittee chairs and staff who have put their work into this package.
▶ 1:33:53I'm proud to support it, and I look forward to continuing to work with you as we advance WERA and the rest of the committee's agenda this coming year. Thank you, and I yield back my
▶ 1:34:04Gentlemen's time's expired. This chair recognizes Mr. Figures.
▶ 1:34:08Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larson, Chairman Collins, and Ranking Member Wilson for spearheading uh as my colleague Representative Gallagher uh just mentioned uh what is best about this committee. Uh this bill uh is a reflection of just that. Uh look, WRA has long been one of Congress's best examples of bipartisan legislation, and I appreciate the committee's continuing of that tradition uh here in my first term. for Alabama's second congressional district.
▶ 1:34:34This bill invests in water infrastructure initiatives that will help the Army Corps and our state and local partners continue to uh strengthen our economy. Um I uh have the privilege now of representing uh the city of Mobile uh which is now home to the deepest port uh in the Gulf after a recent dredging uh project was recently completed. And with that, um, the port already generates a nearly $100 billion annually in economic activity, um, for the state of Alabama.
▶ 1:35:02And that is only going to increase with the port's, uh, new capacity. And so now more than ever, uh, it is critical, uh, that we are here making the, um, necessary investments, uh, in sustaining not just the port u, but all of our water resource needs across the district. Uh that's why I was uh very happy to be able to secure uh provisions that authorizes nearly $50 million or approximately $50 million in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across my district as a whole.
▶ 1:35:30This will be in counties like Barber and Bulock and Butler and Krenshaw and Mon and Montgomery County, Pike County, Russell County. Uh this responds to urgent water infrastructure needs across the district and the surrounding region. Uh this will be funds that will be able to be utilized to help address uh the water challenges, the persistent water challenges in Pritchard, Alabama. Uh which residents there, they they they lose 60% of their fresh drinking water before it ever reaches a tap.
▶ 1:35:57Uh and so being able to secure resources to help fix that issue is something that is necessary and something that we are pleased to be able to do. uh but also persistent storm water management issues across the district and critical water and infrastructure uh needs in places like Bulock and Butler uh counties and and some significant sewer issues that we have in my district. I I have parts of my district um that are too rural for public sewer service yet the soil concentration is too dense for traditional septic systems to work.
▶ 1:36:27Uh and so what that leads to is is is people literally running sewer lines out into the woods. uh and as primitive as that sounds, it is something that is uh pervasive across uh not just my district but adjoining districts in the state of Alabama. So addressing those issues due to the health and environmental concerns raised by them is something that is significantly important uh and something that we are uh grateful to be able to do.
▶ 1:36:49Uh we're also able to secure um investments in studies uh studies that will help uh uh hopefully put us on the pathway to writing some historical wrongs uh in issues that have long been uh overdue to be addressed in in in this district. Uh one of them is a study to identify the source of contamination affecting the waters surrounding the African town community. Uh for people that are not familiar with Africa Town, listen uh the Clota was the last known slave ship to arrive in the United States of America over five decades after the slave trade had been banned.
▶ 1:37:20Uh and this community is where some of those survivors um set up after uh after the Civil War. It has long been plagued with industry uh that has developed in that area. And in fact u that part of um the community now is incorporated into the city of Mobile.
▶ 1:37:36Um, one of the issues uh that led to people supporting incorporation efforts back in 1960 was that well water was already contaminated then um and so being incentivized to get onto the city's public water uh source even back in 1960.
▶ 1:37:51So, these same issues that we're addressing now and one of the studies that we've authorized is being able to determine uh the sources of contamination in the public waters surrounding the African town commun uh community because there are still persistent warnings uh not to consume fish uh from the public waters that surround that community. And so, uh figuring that out will hopefully uh allow us to to write some environmental injustices that have been happening there for far too long. But also a study to evaluate dredge material placement into Pinto Island and Blakeley Island.
▶ 1:38:19Um listen, we are um also very very happy uh to secure a provision in this uh year's uh word that will effectively stop the dumping of thin layer dredge material into Mobile Bay. Um this is the process where dredge material to keep the port depth uh where it's supposed to be uh is has literally just been spread into the bay and and any outdoorsman knows that that is a threat to wildlife.
▶ 1:38:45It's a threat to fishing, oysters, uh, and just general outdoors en enjoyment. And so being able to have the opportunity here in this bill to effectively ban that practice, uh, is something that is that is very important to us locally in the Mobile Bay Area. Uh, and something that is just good practice. And so, uh, I am looking forward to, uh, supporting this bill and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I yield back.
▶ 1:39:09Gentleman yields. Chair recognizes Mr.
▶ 1:39:14Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I'm very grateful to be on this committee and particularly the water subcommittee because I don't I've been able to deliver wins for my district um that have taken years and years in effort.
▶ 1:39:30The the Water Resources Development Act is especially important to my district because it includes a provision that provides certainty for the hardworking property owners around Lake Teny Ko and Table Rock Lake in Missouri and Arkansas. Table Rock Lake is more than just a body of water. It is a treasured landmark in southwest Missouri and a crown jewel of the Ozarks. home to generational family homes, vacation cabins, and retirement homes that have been a part of this community for decades.
▶ 1:40:02Unfortunately, for many of these homeowners, living on a core managed lake has caused unnecessary challenges and headaches. Some property owners through no fault of their own built portions of their homes or placed their septic systems on core land due to unclear property lines at the time of the construction and purchase.
▶ 1:40:24Decades later with satellite imaging, they were informed that the core by the core that they must demolish or relocate these structures, a process that would have been both expensive and deeply disruptive to their lives.
▶ 1:40:39I've literally been in the homes of retirees who put their entire retirement fortune into a beautiful property on sitting over the lake only to find out that they have to spend more than the entire value of their home just in these um in in in these costs. As one can imagine, relocating a septic system, which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, or in some cases, relocating part of their entire home, is not a simple undertaking.
▶ 1:41:09For some of these constituents, the cost of compliance was estimated to be hundreds of thousands of dollars. And to address this last Congress, I secured language in the word a bill to protect these homeowners from this kind of undue hardship without affecting any lake levels whatsoever.
▶ 1:41:27However, the bill was enacted and after the bill was enacted, the core adopted a very narrow interpretation, literally telling the attorneys of this staff of this committee and the Senate staff committee that they disagreed with our attorney's interpretation of the provisions of the language, which left many of my constituents in the same position that they were before the passage.
▶ 1:41:52After working closely with the assistant secretary of the Army Corps, civil works, Adam Tel, and his team, we developed a more comprehensive and durable solution to address these issues without provoke provoking undue hardship on these homeowners. Section 227 and 228 of this legislation build upon section 1323 of Thomas R. Carpenter or Carper Water Resource Development Act to make Congress's intent unmistakably clear.
▶ 1:42:20These provisions ensure that the structures and septic systems that homeowners have long relied upon can remain on core managed land, providing certainty for families while preserving the integrity of the lake and its project. And I want to thank I want to deeply thank Chairman Graves and Chairman Collins for their dedication to this issue and for their commitment to advocating for Missurrians while ensuring a lasting and reasonable solution.
▶ 1:42:48I also want to thank Assistant Secretary Tel, General Graham, and General Walter of the Southwestern Division for working with me to develop a solution that protects homeowners while ensuring the integrity of the COR's mission. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.
▶ 1:43:07Mr. Stabber.
▶ 1:43:09Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. I rise in support of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026. I want to start by thanking the chairman uh chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larson for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation. Army Corps projects are especially critical to the Great Lakes maritime economy. The Great Lakes generate $3.1 trillion in gross domestic product and employ roughly 25.8 million people.
▶ 1:43:34The port of Doo Superior and the Soolocks transport millions of tons of America American mine tachinite and iron ore every year. Ensuring that the water infrastructure in this region can support such commerce is essential to both our economy and our strategic national security. Further, motans fish, recreate and spend time with their loved ones in lakes throughout the 8th district. These hollowed places are part of our way of life.
▶ 1:44:00is important that they are maintained so future generations can enjoy all they have to Wera 2026 dutifully recognizes these realities. However, I especially appreciate the inclusion of several priorities advanced by my office. First, this legislation includes language requiring the core to establish a shoreline management plan for Big Sandy Lake in my district. Core activities involving surveying and boundary stakes have sparked title disputes in this area.
▶ 1:44:31This provision will ensure that the core works closely with local stakeholders to determine the best use of this land while developing a means for land owners to purchase certain federally owned parcels in the future. Second, the bill requires the core employees who operate, repair, or maintain lock and dam equipment at the Soolocks be paid from the special wage rate schedule.
▶ 1:44:56This provision will help this important asset recruit and retain dedicated skilled employees who keep commodities moving throughout the Great Lakes. Finally, word of 2026 includes $56 million for the northeastern Minnesota environmental infrastructure program. An essential program that assists non-federal interests in northern Minnesota. This includes the counties of Cook Lake, St.
▶ 1:45:22Louis, Cuchen, Itasa, Cass, Crowing, Aken, Carlton Pine, Kanebeck, Malax, Asanti, and Chisago in my district. Importantly, this section of the bill updates section 569 of the word on 1999 to expand eligibility for environmental infra infrastructure assistant in northeastern Minnesota to include Lake of the Woods County.
▶ 1:45:47When the provision was originally enacted, the eligible counties aligned with boundaries of Minnesota's 8th congressional district. Following 2022 redistricting, however, Lake of the Woods County became part of current Minnesota 8, leaving the statutory language outdated. This technical correction has significant real world consequences. The city of Bedet is working to replace failing water and sewer infrastructure serving the county's only affordable housing development.
▶ 1:46:15Despite years of coordination among the city, its housing and redevelopment authority, engineers, funding partners, and regulators, the project has faced repeated delays. Ongoing sew sewer failures and backups have forced some housing units to be vacated, even as more than 20 families remain on a waiting list for affordable housing.
▶ 1:46:36By restoring Lake of the Woods County's eligibility, this provision reestablishes the legal authority needed for the core to move forward with a partnership agreement and construction, helping deliver reliable infrastructure and expand access to safe, affordable housing for the families who need it. Overall, this bill takes meaningful steps to help the core expedite projects, deliver on time for our constituents, and reduce the bloated bureaucracy that kills progress.
▶ 1:47:04It makes meaningful investments that support our infrastructure and economy while making sure those funds are spent effectively and efficiently. To put it simply, word of 2026 is a common sense and bipartisan bill that delivers for northern Minnesota and the American people. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and Mr. Chair, I yield Anyone else wish to be heard on the bill?
▶ 1:47:34Seeing no one, we're now considering the bill for amendments. I recognize myself for the purposes of offering the manager's amendment. Please
▶ 1:47:44the manager's amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Chairman Graves.
▶ 1:47:50Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. And I recognize myself real quick for a statement. The manager's amendment makes various technical corrections and some conforming changes to the bill. It incorporates more than 25 amendments filed by members that were agreed to through bipartisan collaboration between ranking member Larson and myself. And I want to thank Rick for working with me on uh this package. And I'd also like to thank all the members whose amendments were incorporated.
▶ 1:48:17Um with that, I yield back and recognize uh Mr. Gmeny for a
▶ 1:48:23Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. The ranking member Lawson and I support the manager's amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. The manager's amendment includes over 30 amendments that were filed and then negotiated and added to the bill as well as several technical corrections. Importantly, this package also includes six new projects for construction authorization that the court submitted to Congress since the introduction of the base bill. With that, I yield back.
▶ 1:48:55Mr. Vendrew.
▶ 1:48:59Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise today in strong support of the manager's amendment. Before I begin, I want to thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larson, and the outstanding team on transportation infrastructure for their tireless work on this bipartisan word of bill in general, and for including several priorities that are so important to the state of New Jersey and the United States of America and particularly to coastal communities across this great country.
▶ 1:49:28First, I'm glad to see the inclusion of language to address one of the most persistent challenges facing our coast. Hot spot erosion. For years, the Army Corps has watched places like the north end of Atlantic City where we continue placing millions of cubic yards of sand on our beaches only to watch much of it washed away later, literally in the same This is not a long-term solution.
▶ 1:49:57It's an expensive cycle that costs taxpayers millions of dollars while still leaving communities vulnerable and not curing the situation. The language included in the manager's amendment ensures the core can fully evaluate the engineering solutions needed to address these chronic erosion problems so we fix the underlying cause instead of simply replacing the same sand over and over and over again.
▶ 1:50:26This means better protection for our communities and significant savings for taxpayers over the long term. That's a great combination. The manager's amendment also helps protect one of New Jerseys greatest historic treasures, the East Point Lighthouse.
▶ 1:50:42By expanding the ongoing Mars River feasibility study to include the lighthouse and surrounding shoreline erosion, the core can evaluate long-term solutions to preserve this irreplaceable piece of America's maritime history before we lose it and it's too late. I've been working for years with my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Dena Titus, to address dam safety.
▶ 1:51:09and I'm very happy to see our dams act including in the underlying bill. I know she is as well. It's also great to see an additional provision including in the manager amendment that that directs FEMA to evaluate how high hazard potential dam projects are prioritized. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a serious business and it's important for the safety of our nation.
▶ 1:51:36Communities deserve confidence that limited resources are being directed where they will be provide the greatest absolute benefit to public safety. Hearing directly from the states and identifying ways to improve that process is just simply good efficient government.
▶ 1:51:56Finally, I appreciate the inclusion of my provision with my friend, Congresswoman Laura Gillan, to study the creation of a coastal storm risk management trust fund. We need an ultimate cure and a real solvable situation. I believe if we do it the right way, our coastal infrastructure is our first line of defense, protecting homes, businesses, critical infrastructure, and local economies.
▶ 1:52:26We need a dedicated, reliable funding, permanent funding source. Let me put that word in there. Permanent funding source to strengthen these projects before disaster strikes, not after disaster strikes. Mr. Chairman, this manager's amendment reflects exactly what word should be about.
▶ 1:52:47practical solutions, fiscal responsibility, real infrastructure, stronger infrastructure, safer communities, and preserving the places that define our nation. Again, I thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larson, my legislative partners, Reps Titus and Gillan, and the committee staff for all the amazing hard work they do and for their partnership, all of us together.
▶ 1:53:13I strongly urge my colleagues to support the manager's amendment and Mr. Chairman I yield back. Mr. Gillan. Uh thank you [snorts] chairman Graves and ranking member Larson for holding this mark up and for your bipartisan collaboration on this very important 2026 water resources development act.
▶ 1:53:33I'm proud to support the bill and the underlying manager's amendment which includes language I secured to expedite the crucial Nassau County Backbays coastal storm ricks management project to protect Long Island's Southshore from flooding. Mr. Chairman, Hurricane Sandy devastated Long Island and our communities in New York's fourth congressional district, causing billions of dollars worth of damage.
▶ 1:53:58As we deal with rising sea levels and stronger, more frequent storms, we must provide the coastal communities I represent with the federal resources we need to enhance our resiliency and protect our residents and our property. For a decade, the Army Corps has been engaged in a study to examine how we can reduce storm damage, flooding, and coastal erosion in Nassau County's backbays.
▶ 1:54:20Some of the most vulnerable areas like Freeport, East Rockaway, Oceanside, Island Park, the five towns, Long Beach, Leo Beach, Point Lookout, lie within this area and deal with severe flooding on a regular basis. As supervisor of the town of Hemstead, I fought to keep federal dollars flowing to this project and to support resiliency of our coastal communities. In 2021, the Army Corps released a draft report with recommendations to reduce the risk of flood damage.
▶ 1:54:48However, since the Army Corps has not completed the final feasibility study, nor has it issued the chief's report, the crucial steps necessary to begin the next stage towards construction. My amendment would require the Army Corps to report on the current status of the project and to expedite and advance this crucial project one step further to protect us from the next storm.
▶ 1:55:13I'd also like to take a moment to highlight some other major wins for Long Island in this package that I was proud to help secure. These include $11 million for Garden City to address lead pipe replacement, $25 million for water mane upgrades in Long Beach, $3.3 million for storm water pumps in Freeport, 130,000 for flood mitigation in Lawrence, and tens of millions more for water and wastewater infrastructure across Nassau County.
▶ 1:55:43This bill also authorizes new studies to mitigate flooding in Reynolds Channel in Atlantic Beach to dredge Banister Bay and Lawrence. And I'm proud that this package includes my bipartisan pill, the Coastal Infrastructure Improvement Act, which would authorize the Army Corps to carry out research and development on innovative coastal erosion technologies to protect our environment, prevent erosion, and save taxpayers dollars. Thank you so much to my Republican colleague, Mr.
▶ 1:56:12Andrew for working with me on this very important legislation. Mr. Chairman, together these investments and policy proposals represent a comprehensive commitment to Long Island and to the Southshore's water infrastructure and coastal resilience. In closing, I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the manager's amendment and the underlying legislation. And with that, I yield
▶ 1:56:35Gentle lady yields. Chair recognizes Mr. Brian Mass for five minutes.
▶ 1:56:40Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, Mr. Chairman, we've worked a lot on this committee to deal with South Florida water issues, and I think we can reflect back and say that for over a century, the water management in South Florida was an absolute disaster for Lake Okachchobee, for the Florida Everglades, for the estuaries on the east and west coastlines of the state. It killed wildlife. It triggered public health emergencies, shut down businesses up and down my Treasure Coast area.
▶ 1:57:10It was a disaster. And so what did this committee do? This committee has gone to work year after year on the water resource development act to to find ways to to mitigate and fix these problems. In 2017, we secured $150 million for Everglades restoration as we went into the appropriation cycle. Uh $82 million to rehabilitate the Herbert Hoover dyke so that the core of engineers couldn't go and tell us every single year that this dyke may fail.
▶ 1:57:39So, we have to dump this dirty, toxic water on you. And we delivered 76.5 million for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration to to help repair the damage done to the Florida Everglades. And we put money behind restoring the CM River, which long before any of us was here, the US Army took a a river that snaked like a river, and they turned it into a channel. Uh, again, destroying another ecosystem. And we undid that damage and made it look like a river again.
▶ 1:58:08And in 2019, we delivered 60 million to raise up the Tamiami Trail so that water could flow south uh you know into the Everglades where it belongs. We year after year just more and more work we worked to to redo the the broken management plan known as uh the the Lake Okachchobee regulation schedule and and move towards a new one called the Lake Okachchobee system operating manual. Just year after year through this committee, we have worked to fix the water issues of South Florida.
▶ 1:58:36And this year with President Trump's support, we delivered the highest ever funding for uh Everglades restoration. So, I'm thankful to everybody's work uh for for dealing with these issues. Now, back in 2018 when we drafted this same bill, I pushed the Army Corps to write a new rule book, which I just mentioned uh for how they manage water in Lake Okachchobee. It's called the Lake Okachchobee System Operating Manual or LOUM.
▶ 1:59:00And the whole point of that was to get the core to stop dumping lake water into our east and west coast estuaries like the St. Lucy River. Now, why the St. Lucy is a saltwater estuary? It's salt. And the seaggrass is different than the seaggrass in the lake in the freshwater lake. And when the core dispenses all of that fresh lake water into the saltwater estuaries, the seaggrass dies.
▶ 1:59:27And as the seagrass dies, the ecosystems follow and they die as well. And LOSM was supposed to prevent that from happening any longer. But seaggrass grows in Lake Okachchobee, as I said, like I said, a different kind, freshwater seagrass. And in that management plan, they put in something known as lake recovery operations. And that was just a justification to again dump the fresh water from Lake Okachchobee out into the coastal estuary.
▶ 1:59:54Uh and and there's only one way to lower that lake and it's to dump water out of it. And when that water has to go somewhere, they open up a levey separating the lake from the St. Lucy River on my coast as an example, and they pump that water out. So the core floods our estuaries for a patch of grass in the lake, a different kind of grass. And on the other side of the levey, they kill off acres of seaggrass that were not looking for that fresh water that that it kills off.
▶ 2:00:24This is exactly what the new rule book was written to stop, but it's still taking place. So, what does my amendment do? It makes the core come back and show us their work. Why did they pull the trigger? When did they pull the trigger? How much water went through each structure? And where did it go? And did it actually recover seaggrass that it was supposed to or did it do more harm than good?
▶ 2:00:49Because it makes no sense to grow grass in the lake if you're killing off even more grass on the other side of the levy. Uh this is robbing Peter to pay Paul and it should make no sense to anybody. So I'm grateful this was included in the manager's amendment and I want to thank the chairman for working with me on it. I also want to thank for the work on the Atlantic inter coastal waterway. uh one of the most important inland navigation routes in the country.
▶ 2:01:13Uh the Jupiter inlet uh we are doing an examination to study should the Jupiter inlet be a part of that that inter coastal waterway system. Uh it is a a huge system for marine navigation across our area and I want to thank the committee for working on a provision to examine adding that to the inter coastal waterway system as well. very important for my community uh and I thank the committee for the work on it. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 2:01:42Gentleman yields. Are there any other speakers on this amendment? Seeing none, are there amendments to the amendment? Seeing none, the question is on the amendment. All those in favor signify by saying I.
▶ 2:01:57All those opposed signify by saying nay. The eyes have it and the amendment is agreed to. We're now considering the bill for amendments. For what purpose does Mr.
▶ 2:02:27Stanton seek recognition?
▶ 2:02:29Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. The clerk will designate the
▶ 2:02:35an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. Stanton number 125.
▶ 2:02:42Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Mr. Stanton is recognized for 5 minutes to speak on his
▶ 2:02:48This amendment would reduce the non-federal cost share down to 10% for economically disadvantaged communities under the section 595 Western Rural Water Program, increasing access to this program to those who need it most. This isn't a handout. This is establishing parody, equal treatment for communities across environmental infrastructure programs. We've done this before in a bipartisan fashion.
▶ 2:03:11Word of 2024 lowered non-federal cost share for Ohio and North Dakota and parts of Virginia, Missouri, California, and Washington state. There's a great need for water infrastructure investments in Arizona and the rest of the western states. Our small, rural, and tribal communities often have the greatest needs, but the fewest financial resources, like the city of Globe, Arizona, which suffered a devastating flood last fall, but never received an emergency declaration.
▶ 2:03:36This left a small town surrounded by federal land unable to raise millions to rebuild their downtown and repair the storm water infrastructure to prevent future flooding disasters. A 25% federal match is a heavy lift for Globe and many others. I've heard time and time again for local leaders that the cost share can be the difference between moving a worthy project forward or leaving an infrastructure need unmet.
▶ 2:04:00Uh chair chairman Yukapacio of the Pasco Yaki tribe in Arizona previously testified before this committee. While they were able to break ground on a critical water supply project through my Arizona Environmental Infrastructure Authority, the tribe called this committee's attention to the fact that only a small number of tribes in EI eligible states have applied for and received aid through the program. These programs are essential to securing reliable water supplies, but still too few tribes and disadvantaged communities can overcome the financial barriers.
▶ 2:04:31As war negotiations continue with the Senate, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the need for parody across the programs and support the addressing the bar these barriers that every eligible community can participate. Thank you very much. Now, out of respect for the bipartisan agreement made between the chair and the ranking member and some slight arm twisting by the ranking member, I will withdraw my amendment. Without objection.
▶ 2:04:57Without objection. For what purpose does Mr. Crawford seek
▶ 2:05:05I have an amendment at the desk.
▶ 2:05:06The clerk will designate the amendment.
▶ 2:05:08An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. Crawford number 074.
▶ 2:05:15Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Mr. Crawford is recognized for five minutes to speak on his amendment.
▶ 2:05:22Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to start by thanking you and the staff and your leadership helping move certain counties within my district out of the Little Rock district to the Memphis and Vixsburg districts. This is an important step forward as it lays the groundwork for ultimately placing the Little Rock District under the Mississippi Valley Division where its mission and responsibilities are more appropriately aligned. My amendment is common sense and practical. It specifically focuses on the Mississippi River Basin and proper leadership within the basin.
▶ 2:05:47The realignment of the Little Rock District from the Southwestern Division to the Mississippi Valley Division is a logical and strategic decision that will strengthen mission execution without creating adverse effects. This proposal does not alter the mission of Little Rock District, its workforce, its responsibilities, or its policies. The only change being made is transferring operational oversight to a core division that is more closely aligned with the district's day-to-day mission. The Little Rock District civil works portfolio is almost entirely dedicated to the Mississippi River basin.
▶ 2:06:18Majority of the district's civil works responsibilities involve managing the Arkansas River, the White River, and numerous other rivers and tributaries that directly influence the Mississippi River system. These waterways don't operate independently. They function as one interconnected watershed that requires coordinated planning, water management, navigation, flood risk reduction, and ecosystem restoration. Because these river systems are so interconnected, decisions made on one portion of the basin frequently affect conditions elsewhere.
▶ 2:06:47Managing managing them effectively requires unity of effort across the entire watershed. The Mississippi Valley Division was created with the exact mission in mind. It possessions it it possesses the institutional knowledge, technical expertise, and operational focus necessary to oversee the Mississippi River and its tributaries as one integrated system. By placing the Little Rock District under the Mississippi Valley Division, the core would improve coordination, streamline decision-making, and strengthen management of the entire basin.
▶ 2:07:14In contrast, the southwestern division's primary operational focus is centered on the wersheds such as the Brazos River and the Rio Grand and other southwestern river systems, not the Mississippi River and its tributaries. While those missions are critically important as well, they are fundamentally different from the operational challenges associated with the Mississippi River basin.
▶ 2:07:34Realigning the Little Rock District would ensure that operational priorities, hydraulic management, navigation responsibilities, and flood risk management are overseen by a division that specializes in those areas within the Mississippi River wershed. In the end, the missions remain the same, the people remain the same, the policies stay the same. The only thing that changes is placing the Little Rock District under the division whose mission, priorities, and expertise are already centered on the watershed it serves every day.
▶ 2:08:01That said, although this policy change is necessary and provides significant benefits not only to my constituents and the state of Arkansas, but to the entire Mississippi River system and the core of engineers, I will be withdrawing the amendment. I will remain committed to working with the chairman and ranking member to advance this important realignment. And that said, I will yield
▶ 2:08:22Without objection, the amendment is withdrawn. For what purpose does Mr. Dav Miss Davis seek recognition?
▶ 2:08:38Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the
▶ 2:08:40The clerk will designate the amendment.
▶ 2:08:43An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Miss Davids number 078.
▶ 2:08:50Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Miss Davids is recognized for five minutes to speak on her amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, as many know, engineering and architectural services are critical to the work of the US Army Corps of Engineers. These professionals provide essential services like production and delivery of designs, plans, drawings, and specifications for public works and utilities.
▶ 2:09:15The core relies on private sector engineering companies like those in Kansas City to support their internal capacity and provide specialized skills. A 6% fee limitation for architectural and engineering services on federal projects was first introduced in 1939 as a cost control measure to support the nation's urgent defense buildup ahead of World War II.
▶ 2:09:35However, I've heard from my constituent companies that the outdated fee cap is not representative of the cost of architecture and engineering which vary greatly depending on the project and scope of services. We addressed this issue through section 2881 of the NDAA for fiscal year 2024, raising the cap to 10% for the departments of army, navy, and air force.
▶ 2:09:57According to some experts, this increase better reflects the value of innovation in this space and allows firms to cover the rising costs of labor among other business costs. I'd like to commend the committee for including a GAO study in the base text of this bill to analyze this issue, but I offer this amendment to create parody with a law we've already passed. Parity our constituent companies have told us they need to remain competitive. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 2:10:25Gentle lady yields.
▶ 2:10:28Did you offer withdrawal?
▶ 2:10:33Uh Mr. Mr. Chairman, I I plan to withdraw the amendment, but um would certainly love to have the committee's assurances that we can keep working on this issue.
▶ 2:10:42Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I I withdraw my amendment and yield back.
▶ 2:10:45Without objection. Five minutes. Who?
▶ 2:11:07Miss Poe.
▶ 2:11:08Without objection, Miss Po will be recognized for five minutes.
▶ 2:11:13Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, first I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleague from Kansas for offering this amendment. When Congress puts a fee cap on architectural and engineering services for federal projects, it was in 1939, nearly 90 years ago. Like the times themselves, engineering and architectural efforts were a bit simpler back then.
▶ 2:11:40But today, we're in a more complex world, which requires more complex engineering and planning. I understand that the defense department has has increased the engineering fee limitations to 10% in the military setting above the 6% that currently applies to the cores and civil uh work projects.
▶ 2:12:00While we appreciate that the committee included language to study this disparity, this amendment would put a finer point on ensuring fairness and balance. We want to ensure that the Army Corps can access high quality innovative design and planning mitigating risk later uh while also improving performance in the life cycle of needed projects.
▶ 2:12:26I am committed to working with Representative Davis and the committee on this issue and addressing disparity for our engineers. Our communities rightly want high quality project designs with high returns on investment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.
▶ 2:12:46Gentle lady yields. For what purpose does Miss Strickland seek recognition?
▶ 2:12:50Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the
▶ 2:12:52The clerk will designate the amendment.
▶ 2:12:55An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Miss Strickland number 089.
▶ 2:13:02Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Miss Strickland is recognized for five minutes to speak on her amendment.
▶ 2:13:08Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment authorizes the Northwest Regional Commission, which Congress already funded in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations law. This commission will help deliver critical infrastructure and drive economic development in distressed communities across the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. It focuses on rural communities.
▶ 2:13:35As many members of this committee know, regional commissions are not new. They already exist. So far, we have the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, Denali Commission, Northern Border Regional Commission, Southwest Border Regional Commission to name a A January 2025 report from the Brookings Institution found that regional commissions are uniquely effective at delivering critical infrastructure in rural underserved communities,
▶ 2:14:05reaching places that traditional federal programs may struggle to serve and doing so with modest budgets. Many communities across Washington state and the Pacific Northwest face long-term economic challenges. They are the hardest hit by the transition away from traditional industries and shifting labor markets.
▶ 2:14:24As you all know, aging infrastructure such as wastewater systems that are in poor condition or deficient broadband infrastructure is both a contributor to economic distress and an obstacle to growth. It holds back the people who live in those communities. Many of these communities lack the capacity to develop infrastructure projects. They may not have the borrowing capacity or the tax base to finance them and meet matching requirements.
▶ 2:14:50Recognizing these challenges, Congress has already appropriated $1 million to establish a Northwest Regional Commission serving these distressed communities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. But because this committee never again because this committee did not authorize those funds that Congress approved cannot be spent. My amendment provides the authorization needed to stand up the commission that Congress funded.
▶ 2:15:20I'm disappointed that this did not make it past negotiations. And what we heard was that despite evidence to the contrary, regional commissions are in fact money well spent. Congress should not create new commissions. That's what we were told. But Congress has already acknowledged the need for a Northwest Regional Commission by already committing money towards it. So instead, this money is sitting idle instead of being put to work for the rural communities that Congress intended to help. Mr.
▶ 2:15:48Chair, it's unfortunate that there's no path forward for this today. So I'm going to withdraw my amendment, but I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to ensure that this investment can finally reach the communities in the Northwest, especially those who need our help the most. I yield back, Mr. Chair.
▶ 2:16:04Gentle lady yields. Chair recognized Mr. Larson for five minutes.
▶ 2:16:08Thank you, Mr. Chair. I I asked the chair to um not recognize your offer to withdraw until I spoke on it. Um uh representative, but I just want to note this amendment would establish a Northwest regional commission to support local economic development in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana. And I support the creation of this commission uh that is modeled after existing regional commissions.
▶ 2:16:30Uh such a commission would enable states within the Pacific Northwest to fund coordinated economic development initiatives that range from workforce development to salmon habitat restoration. This commission, as noted, has already been funded by at $1 million by a previous interior environment appropriations bill. And now Congress needs to pass the authority that will allow the Northwest to access this funding. Unfortunately, this amendment is outside the scope of the Water Resources Development Act.
▶ 2:16:57and uh therefore I do need to oppose it pursuant to a big four agreement. However, I do want to thank Representative Strickland for her work to advocate for the establishment of this commission and for bringing the matter before us today and we'll have opportunities in the future to address the creation uh of the commission. With that, I yield back.
▶ 2:17:15Gentleman yields. Miss Strickland, do you still intend to withdraw the
▶ 2:17:20I'll ask my ranking member, do I intend to withdraw my amendment?
▶ 2:17:24Yes, you do. Without objection,
▶ 2:17:26yes, Mr. Chair, I intend to withdraw my
▶ 2:17:28Without objection.
▶ 2:17:38For what purpose does Mr. Bibin seek
▶ 2:17:41Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the The clerk will designate the amendment.
▶ 2:17:50An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. Babin number 036.
▶ 2:17:57Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Mr. Babin is recognized for five minutes to speak on his amendment.
▶ 2:18:03Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank uh not only you, but ranking member Larson for your work on this very important legislation. I offer this amendment today to improve how harbor maintenance trust fund dollars are distributed to our nation's energy transfer ports.
▶ 2:18:22The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 allocated harbor maintenance trust fund funds to energy transfer ports that move millions of tons of energy products through our ports each and every year. The Port of Houston, located in my district, is among the nation's largest energy transfer ports and plays a vital role in America's energy security and economy.
▶ 2:18:48Unfortunately, the current allocation formula is based on a per state distribution rather than on the actual volume of energy commodities that are handled by each port. And as a result, the ports that handle significantly more energy products are not being treated proportionally under the current law.
▶ 2:19:10My amendment would simply provide a more equitable distribution by allocating these funds based on the total energy uh commodity tonnage handled at each energy transfer port and ensuring that funding better reflects the critical role that these ports play in supporting our national economy and our energy dominance. I appreciate the committee's willingness to continue discussing this issue. Mr.
▶ 2:19:35Chairman, uh, if I can get your commitment to continue the conversation and work with my team to potentially revisit this proposal as word continues to move through this legislative process, I will withdraw my amendment for now to avoid delaying this markup.
▶ 2:19:53Do I have your
▶ 2:19:55Yes, we'll work. Yes. Yes, we will. We'll work with it.
▶ 2:19:58Okay. Thank you very much. I want to say thank you and I will withdraw my
▶ 2:20:01without objection. For what purpose does Mr. Boss seek
▶ 2:20:14Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a speaker. I have a amendment at the desk.
▶ 2:20:18The clerk will designate the amendment.
▶ 2:20:20An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. Bost number 035.
▶ 2:20:27Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Mr. Boss is recognized for five minutes to speak on his amendment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, I want to thank the ranking member uh Larsson and and the the chairman's leadership bipartisan water resource development act. I appreciate the tremendous amount of work that has gone into this legislation. I strongly support advancing the bill forward.
▶ 2:20:49Today though, I am offering an amendment related to my bill HR8 1285, the water infrastructure subcontractor and taxpayer protection act. I believe we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to strengthen protections for taxpayers, subcontractors, and the federal government on all water infrastructure projects. As many of my colleagues know, payment and performance bonds have protected federal construction projects for nearly a century.
▶ 2:21:16They ensure taxpayers receive the projects they pay they've paid for while also protecting the small businesses and subcontractors that perform the work for bearing uh and bearing the financial consequences. if a prime contractor fails. While new and innovative delivery methods have become more popular for protecting delivery, not all are required by law to have bonding protection, posing a significant threat to taxpayers, workers, and small businesses.
▶ 2:21:45It is critical that a long-standing protection offered by by payment and performance bonds are in place on all projects where taxpayer dollars are at stake, regardless of the procurement vehicle selection selected. I'm recognized that this is an issue that deserves thoughtful consideration and continued discussion with the committee.
▶ 2:22:09I also recognize that this legislation has garnered significant bipartisan and biccameal support that warrants additional attention from this committee. Mr. Chairman, I understand that you and the ranking member intend to continue the committee's work on additional water infrastructure protection later this year and that there were will be other opportunities for the committee to consider measures that could be accommodated in today's markup.
▶ 2:22:37I appreciate your willingness to continue to work and to and today I would like to get a commitment from you and ranking member Larson in agreement to hold an additional markup this year on water infrastructure priorities to give HR 1285 the full consideration it deserves as part of the process. We commit to working together.
▶ 2:22:59With that understanding and in in in interest of moving forward with the word of bill uh today in a bipartisan basis, I want to withdraw my amendment and I thank the chair and I yield back
▶ 2:23:09without objection. For what purposes, Mr. Vandrew seek
▶ 2:23:24Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. Clerk will designate the
▶ 2:23:28An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. Van Drew number 129.
▶ 2:23:35Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Mr. Vandrew is recognized for five minutes to speak on his amendment.
▶ 2:23:41Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment addresses the Herford Inlet in Kate May inlet coastal storm risk reduction project in Kate May County, New Jersey. I would like to ensure that the first phase of the project takes place entirely within the jurisdiction of North Wildwood and that the sand used for the project comes from the Herford Inlet, Herford Inlet Beach or other local sources.
▶ 2:24:08North Wildwood has experienced years of severe and problematic erosion. Every major coastal storm brings renewed concern for the residents, the businesses, and critical infrastructure that depends on a healthy, protective beach. Mr. Chairman, this is simply not about rebuilding a beach. It is about protecting lives. It's about protecting homes. It's about protecting businesses.
▶ 2:24:36It's about ensuring this community has the same level of protection that so many other coastal communities have already This project is intended as a regional but that approach has faced significant implementation challenges.
▶ 2:24:55Meanwhile, North Wildwood continues to experience substantial severe shoreline loss while the ongoing general re-evaluation program and report works towards a longterm solution for the entire project area. This amendment addresses immediate public safety and public safety concerns while the core completes its broader planning efforts.
▶ 2:25:22I've had productive conversations with this committee and I appreciate sincerely appreciate their willingness to engage on this issue. I look forward to continuing to work with the committee, the core of engineers, and all interested stakeholders to pursue other avenues that can advance this project, whether through the ongoing general re-evaluation report, future word of legislation, administrative actions, or any other appropriate
▶ 2:25:52mechanisms that are needed. We have to deal with this. Everyone involved in this project shares the same objective to get meaningful coastal protection delivered to the people of North Wildwood as quickly as possible. They deserve no less. The people of North Wildwood have waited long enough. And I will continue to working until they receive the protection that they deserve like everyone else.
▶ 2:26:19With that understanding and the spirit of continuing to work collaboratively with the committee to find the best path forward, I ask the chairman if the chairman and staff and ranking member will work with me on this very important
▶ 2:26:35Yes, we will.
▶ 2:26:36I thank the chairman. I thank you, Mr. Chairman. And in that case, I will be withdrawing my amendment for future work. And I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:26:46Without objection. For what purpose, Mr. Perry seek
▶ 2:26:58Thanks, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment at the desk.
▶ 2:27:00Clerk will designate the amendment.
▶ 2:27:03An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. Perry number 327.
▶ 2:27:09Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Mr. Perry is recognized for five minutes to speak on his amendment.
▶ 2:27:15Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This amendment would stop the US Army Corps from promulgating or enforcing any firearm prohibitions at water resources development projects so long as the person is not otherwise prohibited from owning a firearm and subject to state law. This would harmonize USA's treatment of firearm possession with those of other federal land agencies such as the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.
▶ 2:27:40USA's proposed roll back proposed rolling back its broad-based firearm possession prohib prohibition during the end of President Trump's first term, but this action was never completed. This language mirrors a provision included in the House version of the Energy and Water Appropriations Act every fiscal year since we reclaimed the majority FY 2456 and 7. This amendment simply restores the second amendment rights of Americans if they are on Army Corps property.
▶ 2:28:09The God-given rights of Americans shouldn't end just because they cross an arbitrary line into USA's jurisdiction or property. With that, I urge adoption and yield the balance.
▶ 2:28:19Gentleman yields. Chair recognizes Miss Davids for five minutes.
▶ 2:28:24Thank you, Chairman. Uh the ranking member opposes the amendment offered by Mr. Perry. For decades, the core has allowed law enforcement and hunters to freely possess loaded firearms on core property, but has required others to obtain written permission to possess a firearm on core lands. This reasonable regulation recognizes two critical One, that core park rangers do not have law enforcement authority.
▶ 2:28:50and two, there is a security risk in having unrestricted firearms close to critical national infrastructure such as dams, navigation locks, and hydroelectric facilities. The ranking member opposes this amendment and encourages all members to do the same. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 2:29:08Do any members wish to speak on this amend be recognized on this amendment?
▶ 2:29:13Mr. Herd, you want to be you want to speak on this?
▶ 2:29:16Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do support this amendment, but I'd like to use my time to speak in support of the underlying bill. I'm proud to support this important legislation that provides critical support to America's water infrastructure and helps support the growing economy in western and southern Colorado amid increasing partisanship uh that we see in this body. The fact that Congress has been able to move word every two years since 2014 is a testament to the serious bipartisan nature of this legislation.
▶ 2:29:45This bill modernizes our nation's waterway infrastructure through a bottom-up approach, consulting our local US Army Corps districts and the project owners they work with on which projects are ready and in need of feasibility studies or construction authorization. This ensures that we craft a word of bill that fully supports our local needs and relies on the feedback of people who are closest on the ground in dealing with these issues every single day.
▶ 2:30:10I'm particularly proud that this bill includes my request to include Colorado among states eligible for section 595 environmental infrastructure authority which supports water infrastructure development in rural western states while authorizing up to $150 million in project authority for projects within the Centennial State. While Colorado is the headwater state for many western states already included in the program, Colorado has not been eligible to access the same section 595 core authorities as these other states have.
▶ 2:30:39The section 595 program provides design and construction assistance for projects that deal with critical issues such as flood risk management, wastewater treatment, and drought resilience, which are all important for rural communities in my district in western and southern Colorado. I'm proud that this bill helps support these communities and ensures that they have access to these federal resources.
▶ 2:30:59I want to thank Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larson, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Collins, and Ranking Member Wilson, as well as the amazing TNI committee staff for putting this strong legislation together, and I look forward to advancing it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With that, I yield back.
▶ 2:31:14Gentlemen, yield. Do any members want to be wish to be recognized on this Are there any further speakers on this amendment? Seeing none, are there any amendments to the amendment? Seeing none, the question on the amendment is all in favor by signify by saying I.
▶ 2:31:38All opposed say no.
▶ 2:31:41The naysay have it and the amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 2:31:46Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote. Recorded vote is requested. The gentleman requests a recorded vote on the amendment as previously announced pursuant to committee rule 6F. Further proceedings on the question are For what purpose does Mr. Owen seek recognition? Mr. Chairman, I' b I'd like to briefly flag an amendment uh that I will not be offering to the vote today.
▶ 2:32:13It would extend to the Army Corps Civil Works the same construction um
▶ 2:32:18clerk needs to designate. I'll just say the clerk will designate the amendment.
▶ 2:32:23An amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. Owens number 051.
▶ 2:32:30Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read. Mr. Owens is recognized for five minutes on his
▶ 2:32:36Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to briefly flag an amendment I won't be offering to to vote today. It would extend to the Army Corps Civil Works the same construction authority the Department of War already has speeding up projects while keeping full completion and full bonding protections in place. At the end of the day, it's about speed accelerating delivery and muchneeded infrastructure for communities across the country. We work closely with stakeholders on both sides of the issue to get the language to a strong place and I believe it bridges the concerns we we heard earlier.
▶ 2:33:04Uh with that being said, we still have some work to do with the corpse directly. Uh so at this time, Mr. Chair, I'd ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment. I look forward to work with the committee uh going forward. Also like to echo the need for this committee to hold an additional markup this year on priorities in the water infrastructure space. Um thank you and I yel back.
▶ 2:33:25Without objection, the amendments withdrawn and the committee will work with you and going forward. The committee will now stand in recess.
▶ 3:10:25I know.
▶ 3:26:48we'll just passage you just say they're recording. So we'll postpone proceedings then we'll do GSA and then
▶ 3:26:58we don't have to say that we've already
▶ 3:27:30ation infrastructure reconvene the previously recessed markup for what purpose does Mr. Mass seek
▶ 3:27:40Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'd like to speak on uh an amendment I have for a moment. designate
▶ 3:27:45an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. Mass number 178 revision
▶ 3:27:53without objection the amendment would be considered as read Mr. Mash recognized
▶ 3:27:57thank you Mr. Chairman, in 2018, members of this committee authorized what was known as the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir. Massive project, 17,000 acre project, stores 78 billion gallons of water to clean water and send that water south through Florida into the Florida Everglades and into the Florida Bay. Uh, and it had to be cleaned before it goes into the Everglades because that lake water that comes out of it's so dirty. It was it was making the Everglades very dirty.
▶ 3:28:26So, we voted to authorize it. We voted to fund it with every federal dollar that we've spent and had it matched by the state government as well. So, great project. Uh, this has been a partnership for more than two decades. No matter who was in charge, uh, everyone from the US Army Corps of Engineers, the state of Florida, Governor DeSantis, the South Florida Water Management District, who is the local sponsor, have all made it very clear in their own words what this project is and why it's being funded.
▶ 3:28:53Uh, and I would uh appreciate the opportunity for Congress to do the same. This puts in writing exactly what we authorized and exactly what we spent money on. It's not my words. It is the words of the core of engineers. It is the words of the Florida governor why this project exists. And it's a number of important reasons. Eliminate harmful transfers to the St. Lucy estuary is one. Reducing harmful transfers of water to the Kousa Hatche River is one. reducing harmful transfers to the Lakew Worth Lagoon is one.
▶ 3:29:23Uh and sending water south so that it doesn't cause any harm. Uh that is a you know these are the project purposes uh you know that water that comes out of Lake Okachchobee while also protecting and meeting water supply goals south of the lake consistent with congressionally authorized project purposes which have been longstanding. This is what we voted for and that's what we spent billions billions of taxpayer dollars on and years from now we don't want anybody to rewrite that history.
▶ 3:29:51We spent nearly a decade and billions on this on building this and again every federal construction contract has been now signed including a $2.8 billion contract to build the embankment. This year we've delivered a record 461 million in Everglades restoration funding. So again, great work uh by this committee, by the appropriations committee uh bipartisanly. I appreciate everybody's work and I would just say it would be uh moronic for us to build this and not use it.
▶ 3:30:21And uh so glad to see that it's being built, this plan is in place. We will keep the pressure on until we're over the finish line. And again, I urge my colleagues to support and I thank you for their support and I yield back.
▶ 3:30:33Mr. Davids,
▶ 3:30:35thank you, Chairman. One of the reasons the core efforts to restore the Florida Everglades have been so successful is because of the tradition of elected leaders, local stakeholders, and the core working hand in hand to address the unique needs of the region in a nonpartisan manner. The ranking member is glad to hear that we have found a consensus approach to the amendment for Mr. Mast and the ranking member would like to thank all members for working together on this one.
▶ 3:31:06This amendment is a sense of Congress on the Everglades agricultural area project which we know many members on and off the committee strongly support. As such, the ranking member supports the revised amendment for Mr. Mast. I yield back.
▶ 3:31:22Mr. Webster.
▶ 3:31:24Thank you.
▶ 3:31:24Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh this sense of congress amendment uh reflects a high level goals in no way is intended to change the the how federal authorized programs and projects relating to SER and and to Lake Okachchobee um are managed by the core.
▶ 3:31:43It's I'd also like to say that uh we want to make note that we worked with Representative Mass's office to u uh for the report language amendment which is in the uh which is in the compromise bill and the manager's amendment. So yield back.
▶ 3:32:03Does anyone else wish to be heard on the I might say that I appreciate both sides um working together on this. Um both sides came a long way and uh it is very much uh appreciated. Seeing no one else, are there any amendments to the Seeing none, the question is on the amendment. All those in favor signify by saying I.
▶ 3:32:34All oppose signify by saying nay. The eyes have it. The amendment is agreed to. What purpose is Mr. And rise? By the way, before you speak, Mr. Ander, we're getting ready to vote. So, make sure everybody um staff, make sure your members back in uh the committee room because we're going to uh uh vote on the postponed uh amendments here pretty quickly and bills. Mr. Her.
▶ 3:33:03Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment. designate
▶ 3:33:07an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 offered by Mr. H and number 031.
▶ 3:33:14Without objection, the amendment would be considered as red. Mr. Honor, you're
▶ 3:33:18Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment makes a straightforward clarification to the definition of a ma of a major rehabilitation project within the inland waterways system. It clarifies that inland waterways trust fund uh is used to rehabilitate navigation locks while dam features continue to be treated under long-standing federal policy. This is a technical clarification, but it has important implications for how rehabilitation costs are shared.
▶ 3:33:48The distinction matters because navigation users are currently the only beneficiaries of the inland waterways system who are required to help pay for rehabilitating these dams. Even though the dams provide benefits that extend far beyond navigation, they provide flood control, municipal, industrial and agricultural water supply, hydroelectric uh generation, recreation and fish and wildlife habitat. their public benefits enjoyed by communities across the country.
▶ 3:34:19The federal dam safety projects have traditionally been funded through general revenues because a dam failure can have catastrophic consequences. Inland waterway dams perform these same critical public safety functions and should be treated consistently. Earlier this year, I joined at least 29 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, including members on and off this committee in requesting that this clarification be included in Word at 2026.
▶ 3:34:48Although I'm disappointed that it wasn't included in the base bill or the manager's amendment, I appreciate the committee's willingness to continue discussing this issue. At the end of the day, this is an issue of fairness. Navigation users should not be expected to bear the cost of rehabilitating infrastructure that serves the entire public uh not just navigation. I look forward to continuing to work with the committee and my colleagues uh to find a solution.
▶ 3:35:21And with that I I move I move the adoption of the amendment. Mr. Larson.
▶ 3:35:27Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh I oppose the amendment that Mr. Andre has offered. This amendment amounts to a cost share shift for projects on the inland system which this committee has already acted on in the last three word of bills. To continue shifting these costs onto the core's general fund would mean taking funds away from other critical projects for flood risk reduction or ecosystem restoration.
▶ 3:35:51It also means less funds for essentially any project that is not on the inland waterways system. Further, we have no firm estimate on the dollar amounts we would be shifting. So, the range of impacts on core funds could be larger than anticipated. And for those reasons, um, and with all due respect to Mr. Andre and the needs of the of the inland waterway system, I I do oppose this amendment. Without yield back,
▶ 3:36:18does anyone else wish to be heard? on the amendment. Seeing none, are there any amendments to the amendment? [clears throat] Seeing none, the question is on the amendment. All those in favor signify by saying I.
▶ 3:36:32I. All
▶ 3:36:33oppose signify by saying nay. It appear the naysay have it. The [clears throat] gentleman has requested a recorded vote as previously announced pursuant to committee rule 6f. Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. Again, as noted, there are recorded votes to amendments requested. So, pursuant to committee rule 6F, further proceedings on the measure.
▶ 3:37:07our postpone. Are there any me? Let's see. Where are Right. The committee previously postponed proceedings on the GSA resolutions in block.
▶ 3:37:38The question is now on the GSA resolutions in block which are agreed to by voice vote is recorded vote still requested? The recorder vote is still requested. So, we're going to um we're going to hold this vote open for a little while till we get um everybody in here. We'll go ahead and open the board. The chairman will be voting I.
▶ 3:37:59Ranking a vote I That's the one here.
▶ 3:42:34Oh my god.
▶ 3:47:35Heat. Heat.
▶ 3:49:48Heat. Heat.
▶ 3:50:24Heat. Heat.
▶ 3:52:21Heat. Heat. hack stuff and then but helping
▶ 3:52:52other Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded?
▶ 3:53:23Do any members wish to change their Hearing none. Close the board and report the total.
▶ 3:53:35On that vote, there are 41 yays and 24
▶ 3:53:40By a vote of 41 nays, 24 yays.
▶ 3:53:48Was that Did I get it right?
▶ 3:53:49Yeah. 41 yays. 24 nazs. The resolution in block is agreed to and approved. the committee previously postponed proceedings on HR 9497. Uh, word. The question is now on the amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 previously postponed.
▶ 3:54:16First amendment 327 offered by Mr. Prairie, of Pennsylvania, which a recorded vote was ordered and which was not agreed to by voice voters. Recorded vote still Yes. Recorded vote is still requested. Members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. The chairman intends to vote no.
▶ 3:54:35Ready to vote no.
▶ 3:54:36Open the board.
▶ 3:55:49How close is Barrett? Have all members been recorded who wish to be recorded?
▶ 3:56:20Seeing none, do any members wish to change their vote? Hearing none, close the board and report the total on that vote. There are 30 yays and 35
▶ 3:56:36I voted 30 ys and 35 nazs. The amendment is not agreed to. Next amendment number 31031 offered by Mr. Ander in which a recorded vote was ordered which was not agreed to by voice voters.
▶ 3:56:54Recorded vote still requested a So no recording.
▶ 3:57:11Thank you. Question is now on the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 9497 as amended. All those in favor signify by saying I.
▶ 3:57:23All opposed signify by saying nay. The eyes appear to have it. You guys do have it. The amendment in the nature of a substitute as amended is agreed to. The question is now on the adoption of and favorably reporting of HR 9497 as amended to the House of Representatives. All those in favor signify by saying I.
▶ 3:57:45All oppose signify by saying nay.
▶ 3:57:48The eyes have it. The bill as amended.
▶ 3:57:51Take a record vote.
▶ 3:57:53Recorded vote has been requested. Members will record their votes using the electronic voting system. And the chairman intends to vote. I
▶ 3:58:00ran vote I.
▶ 3:58:03Open the board.
▶ 3:58:45Has everyone voted that intends to vote? Does any member wish to change their
▶ 3:58:53Close the board and report the total.
▶ 3:58:58On that vote, there are 66 yays and zero
▶ 3:59:01My vote is 66 yays and zero zero nazs. The bill as amended is agreed to and offer favorably reported to the house. Without objection, the motion reconsider is laid on the table. Thank you for participating today's markup. By dash unanimous consent that each measure order reported today be reported as a single amendment the nature of a substitute incorporating all amendments adopted without objection as so ordered.
▶ 3:59:24I dash [snorts] unanimous consent that the staff be authorized to make all necessary technical clarifying and conforming changes to each of the measures ordered reported today to reflect the actions of the committee and without objection that is so ordered. Pursuant to House Rule 22, clause one, I'd ask unanimous consent that the chairman or his designate be authorized to offer such motions as may be necessary to the House and go to conference with the Senate on the legislation adopted today in any similar measure. Without objection, that is so ordered.
▶ 3:59:51I ask unanimous consent that the chairman after consultation with the ranking member have authority to strike or revise any provision or measure of ordering reported today of ordered measures ordered reported today that would cause a sequential referral to another committee or that would cause the bill to be subject to a budget act or rule 21 cut go point of order without objection that is so ordered pursuant to house rule 11 clause 2L I'd ask consent that all members of the committee have at least two calendar days in which to file any supplemental minority additional or descending views on
▶ 4:00:21the legislation adopted today. Without objection, that is so ordered. Pursuant to rule six after the rules of the committee on transportation infrastructure, I note the presidents have a quorum for all actions taken by for all actions for all committee business today. And with that, thank you everyone for being here. The committee on transportation infrastructure has completed business. Committee is