(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Energy and Water Appropriations Act authorizing funding for a series of regional flood control projects requested by the Kansas City Congressional delegation. Graves voted against the bill because of its overall cost, but supported the local projects.

“Kansas City’s water resources are both a blessing and a challenge. The funding in this bill for Kansas City will go a long way toward protecting families and small businesses from flood losses,” said Congressman Sam Graves.

“I am always proud to work with my colleagues across the state line and across the aisle to fight for this essential funding that protects both life and property. I was Mayor of Kansas City during the Flood of 1993 and understand very well that funding our area’s flood control plans and systems is key to protecting life and property. These are earmarks that save lives, and build on projects I have secured funding for in previous years. I think it is clear these levee, basin and channel improvement projects will continue to significantly reduce our major flood events across the area,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-5).

“I’m always pleased to return the taxpayers’ money to them through federal investments in worthy projects,” Congressman Dennis Moore (KS-3) said.  “We can never fully prepare for severe weather but improving our readiness for flooding will better protect families and businesses in the Kansas City area.  I am particularly pleased that we are continuing construction of the Turkey Creek flood control project and that funds are included to begin building the long-awaited “Seven Levees” project.”

Kansas City delegation projects secured in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill passed today included:

·         $2,822,000 for continued construction of the Turkey Creek flood control project (Cleaver, Moore);

·         $556,000 for continuation of a Missouri River degradation study (Cleaver, Moore, Graves);

·         $486,000 for the “Seven Levees” project, improving seven levees and floodwalls along the Kansas and Missouri Rivers (Cleaver, Moore, Graves);

·         $217,000 for continuation of the Brush Creek Basin flood control study (Cleaver, Moore)

The Energy and Water Appropriations Act Conference Report was agreed upon by the House of Representatives by a vote of 308-114 and if agreed to by the Senate, moves to the President for his signature. The bill provides $33.5 billion total and designates $27.1 billion for the Energy Department, $5.4 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers and $1.1 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation.

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