WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 8, 2018) – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after the House passed theEnergy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.R. 5895), which included one of her provisions to protect the Columbia and Snake River dams and stop court-mandated increased spill over the dams. 

“As Eastern Washington’s voice in Congress, I continue to be focused on the issues that people care about, and that includes using our ‘power of the purse’ to ensure national security, infrastructure, and other obligations, like caring for our veterans, are properly met. I’m also proud to secure one of my provisions in this bill to protect the Columbia and Snake River dams and ensure dams and fish can coexist. Our river system is the lifeblood of our economy in the Northwest, and this is another way I am working to protect it. We’re leading on the appropriations process and getting a strong start this year. I hope the Senate will follow our lead and do the same.”

NOTE: Earlier this year, the Congresswoman got her bill to protect the Columbia and Snake River dams passed in the House to stop additional spill over the dams and move forward with the 2014 Biological Opinion (BiOp). This appropriations legislation is another way the Congresswoman is working to get that effort advanced. Her provision in this legislation would stop court-mandated increased spill and would force the Army Corps of Engineers to operate the river system according to the 2017 fish operations plan which complies with the 2014 BiOp.

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