| (Washington, D.C.) Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) announced
Wednesday he has worked with his Democratic colleagues to successfully
insert language in two key Democratic budget alternatives to President
Bush's proposed budget that if passed, would support full-funding of the
Ouachita Black River Navigation System that President Bush cut in his proposed
budget this year.
Ross's insertion was included in the Spratt Democratic Alternative and
the Blue Dog Alternative, the primary two Democratic alternative budget
packages to Bush's budget. Ross is also a member of fiscally-conservative
Blue Dog Coalition, who worked to develop the latter mentioned Alternative.
"I have fought hard to reinstate funding for the Ouachita Black River
Navigation System since the day I learned President Bush zeroed out this
critical funding in his 2005 budget proposal," said Ross. "I am grateful
that both the Spratt Alternative and the Blue Dog budget both include language
that if passed, would support full-funding for the waterway."
The language Ross inserted in both bills reads as follows:
SENSE OF THE HOUSE REGARDING THE OUACHITA-BLACK NAVIGATION PROJECT.
(a) FINDINGS.-The House finds that-
(1) the Ouachita-Black Navigation Project was authorized by the River
and Harbor Act of 1950 and modified by the River and Harbor Act of 1960;
and
(2) a 382-mile navigation channel on the Red, Black and Ouachita Rivers
was created requiring annual dredging to ensure the rivers' channel depth
is maintained at the nine feet needed for commercial use; and
(3) if adequate annual funding is not provided to the Corps of
Engineers and others, the project will not be able to function, undercutting
commerce and revitalization
Ross stressed that although he is grateful both Democratic alternatives
include his insertion, there is no guarantee either one of these alternatives
will pass. The House of Representatives begins debate on the budget Wednesday,
and is expected to vote on the final budget Thursday.
Regardless of the budget outcome, Ross said he will continue to fight
hard to garner funding for the waterway. Ross will request that the funding
be reinstated through the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill to be considered
later this year.
"Failing to fund this waterway would literally shut down numerous businesses
in South Arkansas. At a time when we should be doing all we can to stimulate
our economy by creating jobs and maintaining the ones we have, passing
legislation that eliminates jobs makes no sense." |
