[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2011

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I inadvertently cast a ``yea'' vote on 
rollcall No. 537, as part of the consideration of the Energy and Water 
Appropriations bill. I would like to change my vote on the amendment to 
``nay.''
  When I cast my vote, I was under the impression that this amendment 
was a measure solely designed to reduce the federal deficit. However, 
after casting my vote I learned that this deceptive policy amendment 
specifically zeroes out money for climate change projects within the 
Corps' Operations and Maintenance Program. I oppose this amendment as I 
believe that the Corps and the entire federal government need to work 
quickly to reduce carbon emissions and to adapt infrastructure so it is 
capable of withstanding the impacts of climate change. I also oppose 
the amendment because I believe that sneaking deceptive policy riders 
into appropriations legislation is not the proper way to create policy 
and govern this great nation.
  I have the privilege of representing Memphis, Tennessee, which was 
inundated this year with historic floods. There is no doubt in my mind 
that these floods were exacerbated by climate change which caused 
record snowfalls and rainfalls across the Midwest that resulted in the 
record flooding. As bad as these floods were, the impacts would have 
been magnitudes worse had it not been for the Army Corps of Engineers' 
tremendous work to control the flood. I strongly support the Army Corps 
and appreciate their efforts to safeguard the American people and 
economy.

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