Following the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Debby, some local governments in Florida face looming budget shortfalls that could disrupt disaster recovery efforts. If these local governments receive reimbursements for past hurricanes from the Federal Emergency...
Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic path through northwest Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with local officials and volunteers from Citrus County. Senator Rubio also met with small business owners impacted by the storm. Photos are courtesy of...
Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with first responders, local officials, and volunteers in Pasco County. Photos are courtesy of Senator Rubio’s office. Senator Rubio meets with Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with Cedar Key residents and homeowners who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Rubio then met with members of the aquaculture industry to discuss the impact multiple hurricanes have had on the industry. Photos are courtesy of...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) visited the Taylor County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and Keaton Beach, an area highly impacted by Hurricane Helene. Photos are courtesy of Senator Rubio’s office. Senator Rubio meets with Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett....
After making landfall as a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage along Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s crucial for Florida’s farmers to receive the necessary resources for recovery. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Florida...
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. House passed the bipartisan Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which will allow Port Everglades to advance expansion once it receives a go ahead from the Army Corps of Engineers in the form of a Chiefs Report. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later this week.
Today, Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL), along with Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and representatives from Port Everglades, met with Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to get a progress report on the continuing feasibility study for the Port Everglades expansion project which will lead to this long-awaited Chief’s Report.
The meeting covered three key issues with the Port Everglades feasibility study: status of environmental review; economic analysis of the overall depth of the dredge; and the timeline for a completed Chief’s Report. Here is the current status:
“The Florida delegation stands together in making sure our ports, including Port Everglades, are equipped for the expansion of the Panama Canal,” said U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. “Today’s meeting was a positive step forward, and I will continue to monitor the work of the Army Corps until the project at Port Everglades is finalized and completed.”
“We need to get this project done for the bigger ships that will come from the Panama Canal expansion,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. “That’s going to create jobs and stimulate the local economy.”
“Progress on this expansion means lots of jobs for South Florida,” said Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22).
“I’m cautiously optimistic that the Army Corps is making progress on its feasibility study for the Port expansion project, but remaining issues must quickly be resolved – further delay is simply unacceptable,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23). “Port Everglades is a major economic engine for South Florida and the Port must be well positioned to meet the changing international transportation needs of the 21st century.”