The United States House of Representatives today approved a $383 billion spending package that includes $85 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program. The Bay Program coordinates the science and modeling that drive restoration efforts, provides state grants for cleanup programs, and puts boots on the ground to assist in antipollution initiatives.

The package of five funding bills now moves from the United States House of Representatives to consideration by the United States Senate.

“As chairman of the Chesapeake Executive Council, I commend the House for agreeing to increase federal funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program,” Governor Larry Hogan said. “Since March, we have been fighting the federal administration’s attempts to make cuts to the program. The Chesapeake Bay is our state’s greatest natural asset, which is why over the last five years, we’ve invested $5 billion in wide-ranging restoration efforts; as a result, we have seen marked improvements in the Bay’s health.”

“Our record commitment to the Chesapeake Bay will continue as long as I am governor, but federal support is an important part of maintaining our historic momentum. I now call on the Senate to immediately follow the lead of their colleagues in the House and help our efforts to preserve this state and national treasure.”

“The Chesapeake Bay is Maryland’s most precious resource and we must do everything we can to protect it and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it generates,” Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger said. “I am proud to support legislation that will help ensure the Bay and all of our country’s natural resources are available to generations to come.”

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.