Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) voted to increase the budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and restore the huge cuts made by the House Republican Majority.  As Rockland and Westchester Counties and other areas throughout the country deal with the recent devastating floods, it is more apparent that deep cuts to the Army Corps are short-sighted.

An amendment to the FY 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations bill was introduced by Rep. John Tierney (D-MA), with Rep. Engel’s full support.  The amendment would have restored funding for two Army Corps accounts – Construction and Operations & Management – to FY 2011 levels.  Currently, the House Majority’s budget cuts Army Corps allocation by $1 billion from FY 2011, and is $6 billion less than President Obama’s FY 2012 request.  The amendment failed on Tuesday, by a vote of 162-246.

“I understand the need to cut spending and reduce the deficit, but we must avoid being pennywise and pound foolish.  Sometimes you have to look at the consequences of deep budget cuts.  Families in Rockland and Westchester – and all around the country – have had their entire lives turned upside down by flooding.  Homes destroyed, memories lost, thousands of dollars of damages suffered.  These are real life horrors being lived by families in my district and beyond.  The federal government cannot simply turn its back on them in the name of ‘fiscal responsibility,’ while maintaining tax breaks for billionaires and oil companies,” said Rep. Engel.

The 12-term Congressman added, “This is what happens when you can only think of the cost of programs and not their value. People in desperate need of help are left to fend for themselves. We are Americans together, even when it costs money to help.  I supported my colleague’s amendment and I am disappointed it failed.”

###