Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart | Official U.S. House headshot
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, expressed his support for the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024. In a statement, Díaz-Balart commended Chairwoman Granger and Subcommittee Chairman Fleischmann for their efforts in ending what he called the "reckless spending and woke policies" of the Biden Administration.
The bill includes several provisions aimed at protecting American taxpayer dollars. It prohibits the sale of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to any entity controlled by the Chinese Communist Party or any other entity intending to export to China and invest in the construction, operation, and maintenance of the nation's ports and inland waterways. Additionally, the bill terminates the Biden Administration's Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, returning control of waterways that historically have not fallen under federal jurisdiction to the states.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of funds to promote or advance Critical Race Theory (CRT) and prevents the Department of Energy (DOE) from implementing onerous energy conservation standards on distribution transformers. It also eliminates funding for unrelated climate change activities in the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation.
Díaz-Balart, who is the Founder and Co-Chair of the Everglades Caucus, was successful in securing funding for Everglades restoration in the bill. The legislation includes $425 million for Everglades restoration and $6.3 million for the Corp of Engineers Operation and Maintenance Regional Sediment Management, which will enhance coastal resilience not only in Florida but also across the nation.
In regards to the Everglades restoration funding, Díaz-Balart stated, "Floridians can be proud of our taxpayer dollars coming back home to protect one of our precious national treasures, The Everglades." He emphasized the importance of investing in shovel-ready infrastructure projects that will contribute to the long-term economic recovery of the region.
Congressman Díaz-Balart is also working with his colleagues on the House Committee on Appropriations to secure additional funding for Everglades restoration projects in the upcoming Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024.
The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 represents a significant step towards responsible spending and prioritizing the protection of national resources. It addresses important issues such as the sale of oil to entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, the Waters of the United States rule, and the promotion of Critical Race Theory. Additionally, the bill includes substantial funding for Everglades restoration, demonstrating a commitment to preserving this national treasure while stimulating the economy.
Click this link to access more information: https://mariodiazbalart.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diaz-balarts-statement-passage-energy-and-water-development-and-related
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