[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4213-H4214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         RESTORE BACK BAY STUDY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gallagher). The Chair recognizes the 
Member from Delaware (Representative McBride) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. McBRIDE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to start by thanking my 
colleagues who have spoken earlier in this speaking program for 
honoring individuals whose lives were cut tragically short, and I want 
to extend my condolences to all those who are mourning those who have 
been honored in this Chamber today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my disappointment at the rejection 
of my amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
  My amendment supported the continuation of the Back Bay study, a 
congressionally authorized effort to help Delaware better address the 
vulnerabilities facing our coastal communities.
  Delaware is the lowest-lying State in the Nation. In Sussex County, 
farmers, small businesses, and families are already dealing with the 
consequences of rising sea levels, coastal flooding, and increasingly 
severe weather.
  The Back Bay study, which began in November of 2022, has been 
providing valuable research needed to strengthen infrastructure and 
plan for the future.
  But earlier this year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers terminated 
the study, citing an inability to ``develop a scope and budget that is 
compliant.''
  In response, Senator Coons, Senator Blunt Rochester, and I called on 
the Army Corps to reinstate the study and provide a real explanation 
for walking away from this congressionally authorized effort.
  Given their inaction, I filed my amendment. But the message from the 
majority party's leadership that has refused to even allow for a vote 
on my amendment is that research that supports the long-term safety of 
Delawareans in the face of rising sea levels is of no consequence to 
them.
  I will keep working to restore the Back Bay study because Delawareans 
cannot afford for this study to simply be abandoned.


                    Farewell to Retiring Legislators

  Ms. McBRIDE. Mr. Speaker, this coming June 30, the Delaware's State

[[Page H4214]]

legislature will convene for its final regular session day of the 153rd 
general assembly. With it, the State senate and statehouse will bid 
farewell to several retiring legislators, leaders with over a century 
in combined public service to our State of neighbors.
  Representing constituencies across Delaware, spanning the partisan 
and ideological spectrum, I was proud to call these legislators 
colleagues during my 4 years in the general assembly. I had the chance 
to see their devotion to their constituents, and I will take a moment 
in this Chamber to celebrate their service.
  In my old stomping grounds of the Delaware State Senate, my forever 
president pro-tempore, Senator David Sakola, is retiring after over 35 
years in office. During that time, Dave has been a tireless champion of 
public education, environmental sustainability, and equality.
  For the last 6 years as the President pro-tempore of the State 
senate, Dave led a caucus that raised the minimum wage, passed paid 
family and medical leave, advanced historic gun safety legislation, and 
protected vulnerable neighborhoods whose rights and freedoms have been 
anything but secure. I am proud to call Dave not only a former 
colleague but a friend and mentor.
  Across the aisle, Senator Dave Lawson is retiring after 16 years 
representing western Kent County. A Vietnam veteran, retired Delaware 
State trooper, former volunteer with his local fire company, and a 
businessman, Dave has spent his life serving the Nation that he loves. 
He has paid it forward time and time again, fighting for those who put 
their lives on the line for all of us from veterans to first 
responders.
  In the statehouse, my dear friend Deb Heffernan is retiring after 16 
years representing the Sixth District. During her time in Dover, Deb 
has been an effective advocate for her neighbors delivering for 
teachers, families, caregivers, and people with disabilities. She has 
brought her expertise to defending our environment and investing in 
next-generation infrastructure in her district and across Delaware. 
During my time in the Delaware General Assembly, Deb and I teamed up 
often, including to lead the successful effort to pass paid family and 
medical leave statewide.
  To my former colleagues who are also turning the page on this chapter 
of their service, Representatives Ron Gray, Rich Collins, Charles 
Postles, Jeff Hilovsky, and my friend Kevin Hensley, I thank each of 
them for their service on behalf of our neighbors across the First 
State.
  From supporting small businesses to promoting financial literacy, 
protecting people with disabilities to fighting for farmers, they have 
worked across the political divide to champion causes on behalf of 
their constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, in Delaware, public service is not defined by the title 
before your name nor the side of the aisle you sit on. It is defined by 
our capacity to deliver for our neighbors, working across difference to 
ensure government works for those it is meant to serve.
  I thank my former colleagues and my friends in Leg Hall for their 
years of service to the greatest State in the history of the Union, and 
best wishes to a happy retirement.

                          ____________________