[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 120 (Monday, July 14, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S4323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CENTRAL TEXAS FLOODS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, 32 years ago today, I joined President 
Clinton, Governor of Iowa Terry Branstad, and members of the Iowa 
congressional delegation to tour catastrophic flood damage in my home 
State. The great flood of 1993 ravaged nine States in America's 
heartland.
  This reminds me of a poster we in the Midwest showed at that 
particular time, and I was hoping I could round it up and show it again 
to the Senate. But it had a picture of the Great Lakes in the 
satellite, and then it had a picture of the flooded areas of the 
Midwest. And the blue that shows up where the water is was almost as 
blue in the Midwest that was flooded along with the same color of the 
Great Lakes.
  Flooded tributaries at this time of the 1993 flood overtopped levees, 
devastating communities, businesses, and the livelihoods connected to 
those businesses. More than 15 million acres of farmland were 
underwater. Barge traffic on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers 
stopped for 2 long months. A quarter of a million residents in Des 
Moines went without running water for 11 days. At least 54,000 people 
were evacuated.
  The 1993 flood amassed the largest financial loss from flooding in 
modern history. The second costliest flood swept the Midwest 15 years 
later in 2008.
  Of course, the loss of life is the most significant tragedy of any 
natural disaster. Fifty precious lives were lost in the 1993 floods. 
Iowans know firsthand the anguish and despair caused by natural 
disasters. So, on behalf of my home State, we mourn the loss of life in 
Texas Hill Country from flash flooding along the Guadalupe River on 
July 4 of this year.
  As the road to recovery gets underway, Iowans stand with Texans. The 
grit and resilience we have in the Midwest runs just as deep in the 
State of Texas.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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