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McCaul Orders Army Corps to Expedite Flood Mitigation Studies

June 8, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), along with Congressman John Culberson(TX-07), offered an amendment to the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) of 2018 to require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the completion of flood and storm damage reduction studies to reduce the risk of damage from future floods and hurricanes in the Houston and Coastal Texas areas.

WRDA bills provide the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with direction and reforms for federal investments in water resources infrastructure.

McCaul's amendment was adopted and the U.S. House of Representatives passed WRDA by a vote of 408 – 2.

Congressman McCaul: "As Texas continues to recover from the worst natural disaster in our history, one of the best ways to prevent future flooding is to expedite flood mitigation studies in the Houston area. Congress has appropriated $12.1 billion to the Army Corps to conduct studies for projects like the Cypress Creek solution, but sadly, these studies often take years to complete. We do not have the luxury of time for another major flood event. The federal government is plagued with what I like to call ‘paralysis of analysis' and Texans need action now.

"I appreciate Representatives Culberson, Brady, Olson, Weber, Poe, and Al Green for cosponsoring my amendment. And I thank Chairman Shuster for working with me on this vital issue to Southeast Texas."

Congressman Culberson:"Many families and business owners across Houston have experienced the devastation of watching their homes and businesses flood. I'm proud to be a lead sponsor of Representative McCaul's (TX-10) amendment to ensure that the U.S Army Corps of Engineers will clear the backlog of studies that are so desperately needed to protect our communities from future storms like Harvey. This amendment will make sure that the Army Corps of Engineers completes these studies rapidly and that they execute quickly in building whatever is recommended to help protect the people of Houston and Southeast Texas from the next storm."