"This package included good news for several Iowa communities, but the bad news outweighed the good," Grassley said. "The bad news is the legislation passed today doesn't protect communities along the Missouri River from flooding. I'm very disappointed by that development, and I voted no to show my disappointment."
The Senate today passed the conference report on the spending bills for Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and energy and water. The measure included funding for several Iowa priorities, including community redevelopment projects and Corps of Engineers construction projects.
However, the energy and water spending bill did not include legislation that would have ensured access to the Missouri River for the transportation of agricultural products and protect communities along the river from extensive spring flooding.
The provision would have ensured that river management changes are not made which would jeopardize barge traffic and allow floods in small communities. Grassley had urged the President to support the legislation.
In an earlier letter to the President, Grassley said that increased spring water releases could easily cause the Missouri to flood low-lying areas, including farmland and communities. "Floods would cause a severe economic hardship on those affected," he said. "Farmers would be unable to plant crops, and home and business owners would experience property damage. Increased spring water releases would also cause less water to be released during the summer months. The lower river levels would halt river barge transportation. Loss of barge traffic would deliver the western part of America's great grain belt into the monopolistic hands of the railroads."