I wanted to update you about the work I’m doing to advance pro-growth energy policies, such as H.R. 4923, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2015. This commonsense, pro-jobs legislation will fund Army Corps of Engineers’ activities, create jobs, and ensure Eastern Washington waterways stay open for business.

Our vital waterways provide Eastern Washington with a number of economic opportunities, and I am proud to support bipartisan legislation that strengthens those opportunities by providing critical funding to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and navigation projects. This bill will help more men and women in our community get back to work and build a healthy local economy.

But that’s not all it does. This legislation also encourages cooperation between the Walla Walla District Army Corps of Engineers and landowners regarding the use of Corps’ land along the Lower Snake River. This cooperation will provide greater certainty for landowners along the Lower Snake River, helping them succeed.

This pro-growth legislation takes important steps to help get those in Eastern Washington back to work. By advancing economic competitiveness, we can make sure our community’s waterways will continue to create new jobs, strengthen our local economy, and make life better for people at home.