Graham spearheads letter urging OMB Director Mulvaney to reevaluate cost analysis for Army Corps Projects
May 23, 2017
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), joined by four senators and 14 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, sent a letter to Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Mick Mulvaney asking him to reevaluate the process for calculating the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) for specific Army Corps of Engineer programs.
As it currently stands, the calculation does not give due credit to projects that secure non-federal funding in order to complete projects as quickly as possible. The senators believe the current process puts some projects – if they acquired non-federal funding – at a disadvantage.
“By advancing project funds or through private investment, non-federal sponsors are ensuring projects are completed in as expeditious a manner as possible and are not subject to delays caused by the federal budget process. Completing a project quickly ensures the lowest cost possible for the federal government and delivers the economic benefits of these critical infrastructure projects years before they might otherwise be enjoyed.
“We share your passion for stewardship of taxpayer dollars and a more efficient federal budget process. We also believe in a level playing field when it comes to competing for federal investment. In light of this, we respectfully request you evaluate the method for calculating BCRs and give equitable consideration to projects with an advanced Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) or public-private partnership (P3) during consideration of the fiscal year 2018 budget request,” wrote the members.
In addition to Graham the letter was signed by Senators Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), and John Hoeven (R-North Dakota). Members of the House of Representatives who signed the letter include Representatives Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), James Clyburn (D-South Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), John Delaney (D-Maryland), Jeff Duncan (R-South Carolina), John Garamendi (D-California), Trey Gowdy (R-South Carolina), Al Lawson (D-Florida), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-New York), Tom Rice (R-South Carolina), John Rutherford (R-Florida), Mark Sanford (R-South Carolina), Daniel Webster (R-Florida) and Rodney Davis (R-Illinois).
