Louisiana Senators Mary Landrieu (D) and David Vitter (R) feel they made their point: They want their state’s flood-control needs to be a top priority for the next commander of the Army Corps of Engineers. In late April, they released their “holds” that had blocked confirmation of Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp Jr. to be the next Corps chief of engineers. Senate approval was expected as early as May 1, which would allow Van Antwerp to take command of the Corps from Lt. Gen. Carl Strock on May 17.
If that scenario plays out it would put Van Antwerp in charge of one of the largest federal construction agencies. This year’s Corps appropriations total about $12 billion for military projects and $4 billion for civil works. Those figures include construction, operations and maintenance, planning and studies.