NEWS FROM CONGRESSMAN ELIOT ENGEL

Engel Meets with Army Corps in DC to Discuss Flood Control and Dredging in Westchester & Bronx

  Congressman Eliot Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, yesterday welcomed Colonel Thomas Asbery, Commander and District Engineer, of the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to his Washington D.C. office to discuss flood control and dredging projects affecting Westchester and the Bronx.

Among the topics covered in the meeting was a proposal to alleviate persistent flooding issues in Mamaroneck by widening, deepening and lengthening the Sheldrake and Mamaroneck Rivers, constructing retaining walls, and building a culvert under the railroad station parking lot.  Congressman Engel testified in favor of the proposal last year in front of the Army Corps’ Civil Works Review Board.  The proposal received preliminary approval from the Army Corps of Engineers last month, and Congressman Engel and Colonel Asbery discussed ways to continue moving the project forward.

Rep. Engel also spoke with Colonel Asbery about the need to dredge the Milton Harbor channel, which connects the City of Rye Boat Basin to the Long Island Sound, and restoration projects along the Bronx River at locations that include Bronxville Lake and Crestwood Lake.

“Parts of my district, especially in the Sound Shore communities, have dealt with persistent flooding for a long time,” Engel said.“These problems will only be exacerbated with climate change as the years go on, so it’s imperative that we act now to mitigate the problem.

“I have worked closely with Army Corps experts during the crafting of the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Flood Risk Management Study and I am pleased Colonel Asbery was able to meet with me in person to discuss that and several other flood mitigation projects in both Westchester and the Bronx. We will continue to partner to make sure NY-16 residents are protected from flooding when future storms hit.”

Engel Thanks Cecile Richards for Her Years of Service to Planned Parenthood

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a member of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, yesterday thanked Cecile Richards for her twelve years of service as President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Ms. Richards plans to step down later this year.

“Over the past decade, we have fought fight after fight to safeguard women’s constitutionally-protected rights and make comprehensive health care more accessible and affordable to all Americans. Cecile Richards has been on the front line of every one of those fights,” Engel said. “Under her leadership, Planned Parenthood has faced countless attacks from those determined to turn back the clock on women’s health and rights – yet her efforts to support Americans in need of comprehensive care have never faltered.

“It has been my honor to stand with Planned Parenthood to fight back against the constant efforts to defund the care they provide to 2.4 million Americans each year; to roll back access to birth control; to halt the progress we’ve made in lowering rates of teen pregnancy; and to repeal the Affordable Care Act. While Cecile Richards’ leadership will be missed, I have no doubt that she will leave Planned Parenthood ready to tackle whatever challenges may come.” 

Engel Votes NO On Omnibus Spending Bill

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement on the House passing an omnibus spending bill to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year:

“This omnibus spending bill failed to address what I believe are some of the most pressing issues facing our nation. As such, I could not in good conscience support it and voted NO.

“30,000 Americans are killed by guns every year, yet the Republican-controlled Congress has refused to act. Every day we hear new disturbing stories about our data being accessed, and yet this bill contains provisions that grant the executive branch broad discretion to collect more data without proper checks. And though our DREAMers are still twisting in the wind, this bill once again ignores their plight and instead provides funding for the President’s ridiculous border wall.

“In addition, this bill provides no money for disaster assistance, does nothing to counteract the Trump Administration’s repeated acts of sabotage to the Affordable Care Act and America’s health insurance markets, allocates not one penny to the Hudson Rail Tunnel Project, and offers no additional language to protect Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation.

“This omnibus is a product of a dysfunctional Majority and does not reflect our basic values or principles. Our Democratic negotiators worked hard, but the bill still had too many shortcomings for me.”