Shelby encourages bipartisan work as spending measures advance

Alabama Senator Richard Shelby yesterday highlighted the committee’s work to advance three FY22 bills for the subcommittees on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies during the first full committee markup for the FY22 appropriations process.  

The bills were each reported favorably out of the committee with bipartisan support and contain important provisions impacting the state of Alabama.

Energy and Water Development:

Army Corps of Engineers (Corps):

• $4.69 billion for Operation and Maintenance that utilizes the full offset of $2 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. The recommendation includes:
  • $2.193 billion above the budget request for Corps projects, including dredging, repair, and operation of structures and other facilities.
  • $50 million above the budget request in the Operation and Maintenance account for Donor and Energy Transfer Ports.
• $66.445 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, including:
  • $33 million for operation and maintenance dredging at the Mobile Harbor, Mobile River, and Theodore Channel;
  • $8.38 million for operation and maintenance dredging at the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, including the disposal area;
  • $3.2 million for operation and maintenance dredging at Sunflower Bar on the Black Warrior Tombigbee River system;
  • $3 million for operation and maintenance dredging to repair a connecting ship channel at Dauphin Island Bay;
  • $2 million for operation and maintenance dredging at the Perdido Pass channel;
  • $5 million for operation and maintenance dredging at the Bayou La Batre Channel;
  • $4.5 million for operation and maintenance dredging at the Bon Secour River;
  • $3 million for operation and maintenance dredging at the Bayou Coden waterway;
  • $9 million for operation and maintenance dredging at the Bob Woodruff Lake, Bill Dannelly Reservoir, and Claiborne Lake; and
  • $400,000 for a feasibility study to investigate the viable commercial use of deepening and widening the Tennessee – Tombigbee Waterway and Black Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers.

“This action by the committee helps further our work to secure resources for several significant priorities, including water infrastructure projects, farmers in rural communities, and assistance for our brave veterans. I look forward to the full Senate’s consideration of these strong, balanced measures,” said Senator Shelby.