[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 21, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4053-H4054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NEW LOCK AT THE SOO LOCKS

  (Mr. MOOLENAAR asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MOOLENAAR. Madam Speaker, the Appropriations Committee has now 
passed legislation with $75.3 million in funding for the construction 
of a new lock at the Soo Locks.
  This is the first time in decades the construction of a new lock at 
the Soo Locks is being funded in legislation.
  I have been pushing for this funding with my work on the 
Appropriations Committee, and I am grateful for the support of our 
colleagues.
  Right now, the lock is 50 years old, and it has survived harsh 
winters through extraordinary maintenance.

[[Page H4054]]

  However, if it were to fail for an extended period, it would create a 
cascading problem for the economy and national security, because iron 
ore that goes through the locks would have no way to get from Lake 
Superior to factories across the country.
  Also, this is an issue that Democrats, Republicans, and President 
Trump all agree on.
  When President Trump came to Michigan last year, I was joined by 
Congressman Bergman and Congressman Mitchell. We told the President 
about the Soo Locks, and he pledged his support. That was backed up in 
March when the Army Corps of Engineers requested $75.3 million in its 
budget for next year.
  I appreciate and want to thank President Trump for his leadership on 
this. That request is funded in legislation now, and I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to keep this construction moving forward in 
the years to come.

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