Wasserman Schultz Applauds $35M Increase in Everglades Restoration and Bipartisan $250M Budget Request

Washington, February 10, 2020 I am proud to have worked together with my Florida colleagues on the push to get this anti-environment President to the right place when it comes to Florida’s River of Grass. Restoring our ecosystem and cleaning our water supply is something we should all agree on in Florida. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to turn this $250 million request into reality.Washington DC – U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) today announced two significant victories in the bipartisan effort to restore and protect Florida’s Everglades ecosystem.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today confirmed it will boost funding for Florida Everglades restoration efforts in this current fiscal year by an additional $35 million, a funding commitment that was sought by Wasserman Schultz. The Army Corps’ funding increase was included in its recently released fiscal year 2020 Work Plan. With the additional $35 million, the new total for the Army Corps Everglades restoration account for fiscal year 2020 is a historic $235 million.

Additionally, the Army Corps’ budget request for fiscal year 2021 includes a request from Florida Delegation Members to fund Everglades restoration at record $250 million for the upcoming fiscal year.

“It took this administration four years to get Everglades restoration funding right. But I am proud to have worked together with my Florida colleagues on the push to get this anti-environment President to the right place when it comes to Florida’s River of Grass,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Restoring our ecosystem and cleaning our water supply is something we should all agree on in Florida. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to turn this $250 million request into reality.”

This bipartisan effort to secure $250 million in the upcoming fiscal year was spearheaded by Florida’s bi-partisan Everglades Caucus, led by Reps. Alcee Hastings (FL-20) and Mario Diaz-Balart. In addition to Wasserman Schultz, the Caucus also includes Democratic Reps.: Lois Frankel (FL-21), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Stephanie Murphy (FL-7), Darren Soto (FL-9) Donna Shalala (FL-27), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26). Republicans Reps. include: John H. Rutherford (FL-4), Francis Rooney (FL-19) and Brian Mast (FL-18).