Scalise, Richmond score another legislative victory, pass amendment on House Floor ensuring funding for Coastal Restoration projects
Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise and Congressman Cedric Richmond today spearheaded an effort to ensure critical funding for Coastal Restoration projects. The amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill passed by a vote of 271 to 148.
“Our amendment takes another important step in making sure we can get critical coastal restoration construction projects underway in Louisiana which will directly benefit our ecosystems and economy,” Scalise said. “Coastal restoration is vital to flood protection as well as our Gulf ecosystems and communities, and it was a big victory that we were able to secure funding to help restore America’s wetlands that have eroded while also restoring the barrier to weaken future storms. This victory is a prime example of how we can come together across the aisle to do what’s best for Louisiana, and I am proud to continue fighting alongside Congressman Richmond to restore our wetlands and our coast.”
“If one block of New York City disappeared every hour the nation would be outraged,” Richmond said. “Well, Louisiana loses a football field of wetlands every hour, which is crippling to the state and to the nation. This affects our seafood supply, oil and gas production, and storm protection. Reversing this trend is a critical national priority, which is why this is my fight. The fact that Republicans and Democrats came together to pass this amendment to get these projects moving is a good first step.”
Garret Graves, Chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana expressed support for the amendment.
“Over a dozen critical restoration projects were authorized for construction four years ago,” Graves said. “The Corps of Engineers has not turned the first grain of sand to begin these critical efforts. The Scalise - Richmond amendment is a great step that will finally break the bureaucratic barrier that has prevented the restoration of our coast.”
Click here to watch Congressman Scalise present his amendment on the House Floor
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Contact: Stephen Bell
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