Kildee: President Trump and Congress Must Act With Greater Urgency to Combat Asian Carp
Kildee and Bipartisan Group of Members of Congress Introduce Amendment to Force the Trump Administration to Release Existing Report on Combatting Asian Carp
Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) is urging the Trump Administration and Congress to act with greater urgency to address the threat Asian carp pose to the Great Lakes. Kildee, along with a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, introduced an amendment to the “minibus” appropriations bill that would force the Trump Administration to release the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ study that details the most effective plan to stop Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, despite having the support of Republicans and Democrats, the Republican controlled House Rules Committee rejected the amendment late last night.
In February, the Trump Administration placed a hold on the release of the much-anticipated study that details the Army Corps plan to stop Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. The White House did not respond to questions about why it delayed the report, which has been underway since April 2015.
“Michiganders know that Asian carp pose a dangerous threat to our Great Lakes, yet President Trump is failing to take the steps necessary to solve this problem,” Congressman Kildee said. “More than six months after taking office, President Trump still has not nominated a head of the Army Corps of Engineers for Civil Works, who is responsible for keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. Additionally, his administration continues to delay releasing a report that contains the best strategy for stopping Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes, including potential barriers at key choke-points. We cannot afford more delays by President Trump. Asian carp have been found just miles from the Great Lakes and we have to act to stop them,” said Congressman Kildee.
“I call on President Trump to protect the Great Lakes and take threats like Asian carp seriously. His Administration should fully explain why they are sitting on this report and provide a date when they will release it,” Congressman Kildee continued.
Kildee’s amendment has the support of 13 Republicans and Democrats, including Michigan Representatives John Conyers (MI-13), Sander Levin (MI-09), Justin Amash (MI-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), as well as Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rick Nolan (MN-08), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Tim Walz (MN-01), Brian Higgins (NY-26) and Elise Stefanik (NY-21).
Last month, a silver carp was caught in Illinois just 9 miles from the Great Lakes. Congressman Kildee said then that Asian carp so close to the Great Lakes are “alarming and must prompt action.”
In June, Congressman Kildee, along with Michigan’s entire congressional delegation, wrote to President Trump urging him to immediately release the Brandon Road study. “Asian Carp have the potential to decimate the Great Lakes we all love and depend on. It is absolutely imperative we step up our effort to further protect our lakes,” the lawmakers wrote.
Earlier this year, President Trump also proposed completely eliminating Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding, which helps to combat invasive species like Asian carp in the Great Lakes. Congress rejected President Trump’s cuts to GLRI for 2017, but the Trump Administration is still seeking to eliminate the program in Fiscal Year 2018.
“We must never put our Great Lakes in jeopardy. Our jobs, our livelihood and our way of life are at stake. I will continue to work with Democrats and Republicans in Congress to fully fund Great Lakes protection efforts and stop President Trump’s proposed elimination of the program,” Congressman Kildee said.
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