[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING LOAN FUND

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 23, 2007

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, it was brought to 
my attention that on last Friday--during the customary exchange between 
Majority Leader Hoyer and Minority Whip Blunt--the gentleman from 
Missouri had some questions regarding the ``substantive'' nature of my 
subcommittee's business on last Friday.
  As the recently elected Chairwoman of the Water Resources and 
Environment Subcommittee, I have come to the floor to address the 
gentleman's inquiries.
  From the onset, I want to make it clear to the gentleman from 
Missouri that I empathize with his disgruntlement over our current work 
schedule.
  However, I also want the gentleman to understand that I will not sit 
idly by and allow the escalation of the gentleman's disgruntlement to 
come at the expense of my subcommittee and the good work of the 
committee members.
  The Water Resources Subcommittee has the broadest agenda of any of 
the Transportation Subcommittees, covering Corps of Engineers' projects 
and authorities, EPA's Clean Water and Superfund Programs, Brownfields, 
the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and programs 
carried out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
  Last Friday, with a standing room only crowd, the Subcommittee 
returned to some of the unfinished work of the previous, Republican-led 
Congress--particularly, reauthorization of the highly popular Clean 
Water State Revolving Loan Fund program.
  This is the same program that, despite bipartisan efforts, was 
blocked from floor consideration by Republican leadership last Congress 
due to various objections to certain wage provisions.
  The Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund program is a powerful 
partnership between EPA and the States. It allows States the 
flexibility to provide funding for projects that will address their 
highest-priority water quality needs.
  The program allows Federal, State, and local agencies to leverage 
limited dollars. Moreover, loans for such water infrastructure projects 
also tend to stimulate local economies by encouraging commercial 
development and construction and creating good paying jobs.
  As a result of this, the Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee 
will be moving forward on a pro-environment and pro-infrastructure 
agenda.
  Over the coming weeks my subcommittee will be introducing legislation 
aimed at reauthorizing a series of long overdue Clean Water Act program 
provisions and water infrastructure bills aimed at restoring and 
maintaining confidence in our Nation's water resources.
  Regrettably, over the past six years the current Administration has 
presided over the slow, but steady, dismantling of the public's 
confidence in our water resources. Inadequate budgets, the easing of 
regulatory safeguards, and misguided priorities have brought about a 
dramatic reversal in national water quality trends.
  We have not enacted a Water Resources Development Act since this 
President has been in office. This is ridiculous!
  Adequate investment in our Nation's drinking water infrastructure has 
also been woefully neglected. Two years ago the EPA conducted a survey 
of the needs of public water systems. The survey estimates that public 
water systems need to invest $276 billion on drinking water 
infrastructure improvements over twenty years to comply with drinking 
water regulations and to ensure safe water.
  Without a renewed commitment towards investment from all parties, in 
less than a generation, the U.S. could lose much of the gains made 
possible by the Clean Water Act.
  State and local governments can not tackle these enormous challenges 
alone. The Federal Government must be a willing and able partner and 
the time to act is now. The Federal Government must renew its 
commitment to ensure the chemical, physical, and biological integrity 
of our Nation's water supply.
  We owe future generations no less.

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