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Kildee Applauds Increased Investment to Protect the Great Lakes

July 8, 2020

$335 Million Appropriation for Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Unveiled

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded new legislation that would fully support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to help protect the Great Lakes.

The Fiscal Year 2021 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill, unveiled this week, would provide $335 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)--$15 million more than the President's budget request. The GLRI, supported by Republicans and Democrats in Congress, builds on continued efforts by Congressman Kildee to protect the Great Lakes from harmful algal blooms, combat invasive species like Asian carp and restore wetlands. Earlier this year, Congressman Kildee led a letter to the Appropriations Committee asking for increased funding for the GLRI.

Congressman Kildee represents 118 miles of Lake Huron shoreline. Since his first term, Congressman Kildee has fought to fully fund protections for the Great Lakes. He has previously spoken out attempts by both Republican and Democratic administrations to cut the GLRI program. President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly tried to cut the GLRI program but Congress has rejected his requests.

In February, the U.S. House of Representatives also passed Congressman Kildee's legislation to increase the authorization for GLRI to $475 million by 2024. Congress must both authorize (agree to spend) and appropriate (set aside money) spending levels for the GLRI program.

Since coming to Congress, Kildee has fought to protect our Great Lakes, including opposing a proposed Canadian nuclear waste storage facility that would have been located less than one mile from Lake Huron in Kincardine, Ontario. Last week, Ontario Power Generation announced that it would abandon plans to build this permanent nuclear waste storage and seek an alternative location.