(Washington) – Yesterday, Congressman John B. Larson took to the House floor to call on Congress to invest in America's infrastructure. This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is debating the fiscal year 2014 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill, H.R. 2609.

Excerpted Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:

"Repairing our infrastructure is not a Republican or Democratic issue; it is an American issue. I am disheartened to see a bill on the floor this week that under-invests in critical infrastructure projects. Whether it's roads, bridges, airports, deep harbors, school systems or levees, our infrastructure must be strengthened. In these difficult economic times, we must also do all we can to put the nation back to work. In order to do this, we must improve the very infrastructure in which our commerce flows.

"In the First District, 75-year-old levee systems between Hartford and East Hartford require repairs to ensure they can withstand increasingly common extreme weather. In addition to local investment, these municipalities need the assistance of Army Corps of Engineers to meet the requirements of the federal government. Despite estimates that every dollar spent investing in pre-disaster mitigation can reduce the costs of damage by four dollars, Congress has continually underinvested in the Army Corps. We must provide them the support they need to fulfill their mission of protecting Americans from natural disaster.

"Congress cannot continue to sleep while our infrastructure erodes from underneath us. We must come together and invest in our infrastructure to ensure the American people are safe, secure and back to work."

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