Jan. 19, 2018 — Following a January 10th hearing on “America’s Water Infrastructure Needs and Challenges,” the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) held a full committee follow up hearing entitled, “America’s Water Infrastructure Needs and Challenges: Federal Panel” this week.
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Like last week, this hearing focused mostly on a passing a new Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) during the 115th Congress-- and what would be included. WRDA authorizes funding for the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program. Both Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) spoke about how economic reliance on the Corps work is important for both coastal and inland waterways. The hearing featured testimony from Ryan Fisher, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Civil Works) and acting assistant secretary of the Army (Civil Works); and Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite, chief of engineers and commanding general, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During the hearing, Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) apologized to the Corps for not providing the funding to take care of several tasks in the current WRDA bill. “This is our failure to appropriate funds that allow you to do your job,” Carper told Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite. “We’re not providing it, and in some cases the administration is not asking for it. It’s shameful.” (Bloomberg BNA, 1/18/18) |
To view the archived webcast and read statements from those invited to testify, click here.
