Washington, D.C. – Written Statement By Steve Ellis, Senior Director of Water Resources, Taxpayers for Common Sense, on the Smith-Feingold-McCain Corps Reform Bill:

I would like to thank Senator Robert Smith (R-NH) and Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) for their continued leadership in putting Corps Reform into the national spotlight. Their efforts are a prime reason we are approaching the goal.

The Senators are joined by a growing chorus of lawmakers and public interest groups saying that by doing more with less they can change the way the agency does business. The congressional reform train is leaving the Capitol Hill station and we are calling on this agency to hop on board.

It is expected that at today’s hearings that the Administration will be endorsing Corps reform. Taxpayers for Common Sense stands willing to work with the Corps, Congress and the Administration to remake the Corps into an agency that is responsible with taxpayer dollars.

However, let’s not kid ourselves, weeks ago we applauded the Corps’ call to pause 150 projects to review the economics. The bottom line is that we were duped into believing they had changes, when in fact they just rubber-stamped the projects. There is an old saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

There is still a critical need for Congress to pass legislation that increases accountability, reduces the $52 billion dollar backlog, and makes local users pay more for projects that they benefit from. To make these reforms a reality, the Smith-Feingold-McCain legislation is the best place to start.

By admitting they have a problem, the Corps will be taking the first step in the Corps Reform 12-Step program. They are taking the first step today by admitting they have a problem. Now the Corps needs to take the second step by allowing, and encouraging, intervention. Credibility in the Corps can only be restored through credible reform legislation.