MENG, OCASIO-CORTEZ AND SCHUMER LEGISLATION TO HELP COMBAT FLOODING IN QUEENS SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BIDEN

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Queens), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Queens/Bronx) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced today that President Biden signed into law their legislation that seeks to combat excessive flooding in Queens.

The lawmakers' measure aims to address severe flooding like the type that Queens experienced from the remnants of Hurricane Ida and other storms. It authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers - in working with the City of New York - to spend nearly $190 million to enhance and upgrade environmental infrastructure in the borough such as improving water and wastewater infrastructure, storm water management and combined sewer overflows.

The President signed the legislation over the weekend as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), a key bill passed by Congress last month that funds water infrastructure projects across the country.

The bill's enactment comes after Meng, Ocasio-Cortez and Schumer passed legislation into law last year that authorized the Army Corps to spend $120 million for similar flood mitigation projects in Queens (which was included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022).

"Borough residents have not forgotten the devastation that Queens endured from Hurricane Ida and other heavy rainfall, and the threat of more floodwaters gushing down local streets and into homes and businesses will continue unless we act to protect our communities," said Congresswoman Meng. "Hurricane Ida killed several of my constituents and caused extensive damage in my congressional district, and I saw firsthand the devastating impact that the storm had on the area. Lives and property cannot be put at risk. Mitigating this type of dangerous and widespread flooding remains a top priority of mine, and I'm proud to keep up the fight for the upgrades that Queens needs and deserves.

"Year after year, families in Queens face the deadly consequences of outdated infrastructure when storms hit. We saw the devastation of Hurricane Ida, which tragically took 13 lives, and we know that climate change is only making these risks worse," said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. "I am proud to announce that we not only authorized additional funding for water infrastructure projects in Queens but negotiated an increase of nearly $70 million more to address this urgent problem. This will allow us to take this issue head-on and protect our beautiful community from extensive damage."

"I'm proud to support this legislation which authorizes federal funding to combat flooding in Queens, which has caused immense damage to roads, businesses and homes, and even tragic loss of life following major storms like Hurricane Ida," said Senator Schumer. "I've worked hard with Representatives Meng and Ocasio-Cortez to secure more critical federal support for the Army Corps of Engineers to develop ways to minimize flooding from heavy rain events and to upgrade the city's water and sewer systems. I'll keep fighting to improve water infrastructure and management to help combat future flooding in Queens and across New York."

The legislation allows the Army Corps to spend the money to address the problem of flooding, and now that the measure has been enacted, Congress must allocate the funding for it so that the Corps can move forward with needed improvements.

Congresswoman Meng is New York's senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, which provides funding to federal agencies and programs including the Army Corps of Engineers.