Senate moves to restore Great Lakes funding

SANDUSKY — The Trump administration tried to wipe out funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.But Congress isn't going along with it.A Senate committee has voted for the full $300 million of funding sought by supporters of the program, which was created by the Obama administration to aid the cleanup and restoration of Lake Erie and other Great Lakes. The Senate Appropriations Committee included the $300 million in a bill funding the Department of the Interior.Two Ohio lawmakers who led the effort to restore funding on the House side said they are pleased the Senate is supporting the program."This year got off to a rocky start as the Trump administration zeroed out funding for the Great Lakes and efforts to restore them. The administration's proposed budget was short-sighted and our bipartisan coalition has come through to protect GLRI funding for the lakes," said U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo."I applaud the Senate for supporting our efforts in the House to ensure funding for GLRI. We must keep the pressure up to ensure Congress continues this vital program that keeps our Great Lakes productive and healthy," she said."I am pleased to hear the Senate has agreed to designate the full requested amount of $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative," said U.S. Rep. David Joyce, a Republican whose 14th District hugs Lake Erie east of Cleveland. "This funding goes into saving, preserving, and restoring some of the primary water sources for many communities in Northeast Ohio and surrounding areas."The $300 million in funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative also was included in a House Appropriations bill, said Josh Stewart, a spokesman for Kaptur. Kaptur is a member of the. House Appropriations Committee and Joyce worked with her to restore funding on the House side, Stewart said.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.U.S. Rep. Marcy KapturU.S. Rep. David Joyce