Press Releases

Tonight, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02) released the following statement after the House voted to adopt the bipartisan Huizenga/Hahn Amendment to H.R. 4923 the Energy & Water Appropriations Bill:

"For years, legislators in Washington have raided the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and used money designed for harbor maintenance for other expenditures.  Less than two months ago, the House overwhelmingly passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which reversed the trend of raiding the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and started to restore the funding for its intended use of maintaining our harbors.

"Despite WRRDA's clear intent, some in the House continued to back away from the funding levels it established.  The amendment introduced this evening by Congresswoman Hahn and me, restores the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to its proper level established by WRRDA, not by spending new taxpayer dollars, but by reprioritizing how Washington allocates funding.

"Properly dredged harbors along the Great Lakes are critical to Michigan's economy and vital to job creation throughout West Michigan. Passage of this amendment demonstrates that harbors including those in the Great Lakes are a priority."

• Note: final passage of the Energy & Water Appropriations Bill is scheduled to take place on Thursday

• Background on WRRDA and its impact on Michigan can be found here