Soo Locks Funding Will Not Be Affected by Border Security Debate

Recent media reports in Michigan have raised questions regarding whether or not funding for the construction of a new, second freighter-sized lock at the Soo Locks, which was authorized and signed into law in October, will be used for border security should the president declare a national emergency on the southern border of the United States.

However, those reports, some of which were based on speculation made by political leaders, overlooked recent law that was signed in September that bars the Army Corps from redirecting funding away from newly started Army Corps projects, including the Soo Locks.

The relevant section of the legislation signed into law in September is Division A, Title 1 of the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019. A copy of the law is attached with the relevant section highlighted.

That law simply and straightforwardly states:

"the Secretary[of the Army for Civil Works] may not deviate from the new starts proposed in the work plan, once the plan has been submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress."

Congressman John Moolenaar urged the Army Corps to include the Soo Locks project in its work plan for 2019. On November 20, 2018, the Army Corps, did just that when it presented its work plan to Congress with $32 million for the design and construction of a new lock. The new start designation is protected under the law cited above.

Moolenaar is a long-time supporter of building a new Soo Lock. He voted for the law that protects Soo Locks funding in September and welcomed the project's inclusion in the Army Corps' work plan in November.

Moolenaar made the following statement today:

"It is a false choice to say funding for the Soo Locks is at risk. We can build the Soo Locks and protect our border. In fact, we passed a law last year that I voted for that protects the Soo Locks funding from being redirected. I am working for Michigan's priorities in Congress and I will continue to support the Soo Locks in the years ahead.

"Our country needs border security and it needs leaders who will come to the table to negotiate a solution that protects border security and gets the government back to work. Earlier today, some Democrats refused to meet with President Trump about funding border security. With a divided Congress, Democrats must come to the table, meet with President Trump, and negotiate a solution."

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