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Trump Supports Full Funding for the GLRI Following Conversation with Moolenaar, Huizenga and Bergman

March 28, 2019

Tonight at an event in Grand Rapids, President Donald Trump pledged his support for fully funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative with $300 million.

The commitment came following a conversation in the presidential limousine with Congressman John Moolenaar, Congressman Bill Huizenga, and Congressman Jack Bergman.

This is the second time Moolenaar and Bergman have successfully advocated for Michigan's priorities with President Trump during his stops in the state. Last year, Trump committed to building a new lock at the Soo Locks following a conversation with Moolenaar, Bergman and Congressman Paul Mitchell. Since that conversation, the Army Corps of Engineers has moved forward on a plan for building a new lock and this year it included $75 million for a new lock in its budget request.

Moolenaar is a member of the House Appropriations Committee which is charged with funding federal programs including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Congressman Moolenaar successfully advocated for the $300 million for the GLRI in his first two years on the committee and will work to do so again this year.

This is the first time in at least four years that a president has pledged his full support for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The last two budget proposals from President Obama and the first three for President Trump proposed cuts to the program.

Moolenaar made the following statement tonight:

"I enjoyed meeting with President Trump today. I spoke with him about the Great Lakes and their importance to our state. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will do everything I can to make sure the committee follows through on this new commitment from President Trump to fully fund the GLRI and help protect the Great Lakes for future generations."

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