Sw Louisiana News

Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA) have come together to introduce the Safeguarding Our Levees Act, a bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting communities from severe flooding by ensuring the prompt repair of damaged levees.

The motivation behind this act stems from the recognition that many levee systems across the country have not been adequately modernized and maintained for decades due to bureaucratic complexities and government interference. Congressman Higgins emphasizes the urgency of the situation, stating, "From the north, Louisiana receives all the water from the entire Mississippi River basin, and the Gulf of Mexico itself presents endless threat of flood." He further adds, "This legislation forces the federal government to act in a very timely manner once Congress approves and funds a project. It's a win for all of America."

Similarly, Congressman Harder highlights the need to prevent future catastrophic flooding and protect communities from the devastating effects of such events. He states, "Families in San Joaquin County are still dealing with flood damage from the heavy rain earlier this year and we need to do everything we can to prevent future catastrophic flooding before the next big storm." Congressman Harder's bill aims to address the issue of broken levees that remain unfixed due to red tape, and he stresses the importance of taking action to protect homes, businesses, farms, and communities in vulnerable areas such as the Central Valley.

The Safeguarding Our Levees Act proposes two key measures to address these concerns. Firstly, it would require the Army Corps of Engineers to rehabilitate broken levees within a period of 180 days. This timely response would ensure that damaged levees are quickly repaired, minimizing the risk of further flooding and damage to communities. Secondly, the act would alleviate the financial burden on local communities by establishing a cost-sharing arrangement whereby the federal government covers 75% of the cost of levee improvements, with the remaining 25% being contributed by non-federal sources.

This legislation seeks to streamline the process of levee repairs and provide the necessary resources to protect vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of flooding. By removing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and ensuring timely action, the Safeguarding Our Levees Act aims to safeguard the well-being and security of American citizens.

To access the full text of the Safeguarding Our Levees Act, interested individuals can refer to the provided link.

Source: Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), Congressman Josh Harder (D-CA)

For additional details, please follow this link: https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2023/08/29/higgins-harder-introduce-bipartisan-safeguarding-our-levees-act/