House rules would be amended to allow Congress to earmark funds for economically vital-water resource development projects under legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL).
The Responsible Environmental Preservation and American Infrastructure Restoration (REPAIR) Act, H. Res. 313, would change the definition of “congressional earmark” to cover critical Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation public safety and environmental water resource projects.
“The problem with these projects being classified as ‘earmarks’ is that they’re routinely underfunded and the earmark ban prohibits us from making up the difference when these projects are indiscriminately cut by the executive branch,” Rooney said. “This is especially harmful when additional money is needed to respond to unforeseen weather events like last year’s 100-year rain in Florida or when congressional authorizations occur after the spring budget cycle.”
The REPAIR Act would amend congressional earmarks to cover projects that involve the management, storage, release and flow of water from lakes, rivers and dams.
“I want to be clear – my idea is not a complete repeal of the earmark ban and I am not advocating for a return to the corrupt practice of earmarking funds for special interests,” Rooney said. “Frankly, if anyone is padding their pockets and buying votes in Congress, its political action committees that maintain their relevancy by perpetuating this idea that earmarks are the root of all evil and dysfunction in Washington.”
In 2011, Republicans cracked down on abuses of the appropriations process by including a ban on earmarks in both chambers’ Conference Rules. As a result, Washington agencies and cabinets are able to determine federal funding levels of public projects and programs, rather than elected officials who are accountable to a constituency, Rooney said.
By proposing limited and transparent changes to the earmark moratorium, Congress would again control the executive branch’s spending on critical public works projects, he added.
The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for funding and maintaining the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee, and for 50 percent of the costs of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in Rooney’s home district. The dike has been classified at the highest risk level, which means its failure would lead to significant loss of life, economic damage and catastrophic environmental impacts.
The government funding bill approved by the House earlier this month, however, included less than half of the funding required to complete those water resource development projects on schedule.
Rooney’s proposal, meanwhile, has garnered widespread grassroots support.
“Our 2,000 public water system members appreciate your continued efforts on their behalf to support and promote their mission related to public health and environmental protection in Florida,” Gary Williams, executive director of the Florida Rural Water Association, wrote in a letter of support to Rooney.
Florida Ports Council President and CEO Doug Wheeler said, “The repeal of this earmark moratorium is integral to the nation’s economic development and sustainability.”