Kaptur praises Senate support for Great Lakes funding

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, and U.S. David Joyce, R-Cleveland, praised the Senate Appropriations Committee for including Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding in the 2018 Interior Appropriations bill.

“This year got off to a rocky start as the Trump Administration zeroed out funding for the Great Lakes and efforts to restore them," Kaptur, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, said in a statement released Monday.

"The administration’s proposed budget was shortsighted and our bipartisan coalition has come through to protect GLRI funding for the Lakes. 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,” Kaptur said.

“I am pleased to hear the Senate has agreed to designate the fully requested amount of $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative," said Joyce. "This funding goes into saving, preserving, and restoring some of the primary water sources for many communities in Northeast Ohio and surrounding areas. I am happy to advocate for keeping the Great Lakes fresh and safe for all its many benefits and I am glad the Senate agrees these benefits deserve to be protected.”