In Harvey’s wake, Congress advances legislation speeding Army Corps projects in Texas

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House cleared major water infrastructure legislation Wednesday night that includes provisions expediting U.S. Army Corps projects within declared disaster areas in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and other states and territories hit by natural disasters.

Houston area lawmakers praised the overwhelming 408-2 House vote, which sends the measure to the Senate. The bill includes an amendment penned by Texas U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R- Sugar Land, directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite already authorized projects within declared disaster areas in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

"The Houston region was devastated by Hurricane Harvey," Olson said. "These Army Corps projects are crucial to our recovery efforts and future flood mitigation." The bill encompasses investments in ports, channels, locks and flood protection across the nation. It also includes provisions sponsored by Houston area Republicans Michael McCaul and John Culberson to expedite Army Corps studies for Houston and Coastal Texas.

Texas U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both Republicans, also are backing legislation in the Senate to expedite Army Corps engineering studies of a coastal barrier to mitigate storm damage along the Texas coast. That measure, the Coastal […]

Full article: In Harvey’s wake, Congress advances legislation speeding Army Corps projects in Texas

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