To deauthorize a portion of the project for navigation, Potomac River, Washington Channel, District of Columbia, under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5545) to deauthorize a portion of the project for navigation, Potomac River, Washington Channel, District of Columbia, under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5545.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise to support H.R. 5545.

This noncontroversial bill will allow development of the Southwest Waterfront in the District of Columbia. This bill will benefit not only residents here, but also regional residents and U.S. and international visitors by permitting the District to extend docks and increase maritime activity just a short eyeshot from the U.S. Capitol building.

In order for the District to make these improvements, the Federal Government must redesignate part of the water designated by the Federal Government as the Washington Channel so that more and larger docks can be built by the District to accommodate increased boating and waterside activity.

The original width of the Washington Channel was established in the early 1800s to accommodate industrial and maritime commerce at the Southwest Waterfront prior to the construction of East Potomac Park.

Today, however, the Southwest Waterfront is no longer a major port, and does not accommodate large vessels. In fact, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have agreed that this redesignation will not affect navigation interests or adversely affect navigation safety.

I ask Members to support this noncontroversial change that will reinvigorate the Southwest Waterfront for the city, region, and visitors alike to enjoy.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Almost 10 years ago this House approved a bill to revitalize the Southeast Waterfront. The Southeast Federal Center is now being reinvigorated just down the street from the Southwest Waterfront. It is now called The Yards.

I very much appreciate that this House understood that it was far better for the Southeast Waterfront, owned by the Federal Government, to be revitalized than to lie fallow. And already, it is blossoming and blooming.

But the Southwest Waterfront has been awaiting concurrent action, not by this House, and not at the expense of the Federal Government, but by the District of Columbia.

This action, the action of the House today, should this bill be passed, will allow the District of Columbia to move forward on a multi- use development of the Southwest Waterfront, to which tourists and international visitors are always welcome, and will be even more welcome because it will be fit. It will be a fit place to come and see.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5545, a bill to deauthorize a portion of the project for navigation, Potomac River, Washington Channel, District of Columbia, under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers.

This bill deauthorizes one-half of the Federal navigation project width of the Washington Channel, District of Columbia. The channel deauthorization runs from the northern limit of the Federal navigation project to just south of the Maine Police pier which includes the Spirit Ship Dock.

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure consulted with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Navy regarding this proposed deauthorization and we have not been made aware of any opposition to the proposed deauthorization of this segment of the Washington Channel, District of Columbia. This non-controversial bill was reported favorably out of our Committee by voice vote, without amendment.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5545.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Today we're considering the deauthorization of a portion of a navigation channel in Washington, DC. The Washington Channel was authorized in 1935. Ms. Norton's bill would deauthorize a small portion of the project that is no longer necessary to ensure safe commercial navigation along the northern end of the Washington Channel. Neither the Army Corps of Engineers nor the U.S. Coast Guard has objections to this change in the Federal navigation channel.

The bill is noncontroversial. There are no costs associated with deauthorizing this portion of the Washington Channel. I fully support passage, and recommend my colleagues vote for and approve H.R. 5545.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5545. H.R. 5545 would deauthorize one-half of the federal navigation project width of the Potomac River, Washington Channel, District of Columbia.

This change to the width of the navigation channel will enable Washington, DC to better develop and utilize the waterfront near this channel.

To ensure that this action will not affect public safety, Committee staff checked with the Coast Guard, Navy, and Corps of Engineers. None of these agencies oppose the deauthorization of the segment of channel.

I am unaware of any controversy concerning this legislation, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5545.