WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said he was pleased with a portion of President Trump’s spending proposal – put together in consultation with South Carolina’s Mick Mulvaney – that addresses the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. Mulvaney is the current Director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

“The $17.5 million for Charleston in the Army Corps of Engineers FY 2017 Work Plan keeps us on track for accelerated completion of the project,” said Graham, who has led congressional efforts to secure federal funding for the harbor deepening project.

“In addition, Charleston was designated as a ‘new start’ by the Army Corps,” continued Graham. “This is great news on both the spending and designation fronts. It allows construction to move full-speed ahead. I appreciate the work done by Director Mulvaney and the Army Corps in getting this right. It will pay dividends for Charleston, the state of South Carolina and nation in years to come.”

Graham noted that under its FY2018 Budget, the Trump Administration will reward projects like the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project – and the state of South Carolina -- for their willingness to forward-fund projects.

He stated that several years ago the South Carolina General Assembly set aside $300 million for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project. The advanced funds prove to federal authorities South Carolina is serious about completing the harbor deepening project in an expedited manner.

“In the Army Corps portion of the budget, I think the Trump Administration has drawn a line – if you want your harbor deepened you better be willing to put up money on the front end to prove your interest,” said Graham. “They want to reward innovative approaches like Charleston.”

“From the start, South Carolina’s local community, business industry, state government, and congressional delegation have been ‘All In’ on the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project,” said Graham. “A big thanks to the South Carolina legislature’s leadership, particularly Senator [Hugh] Leatherman, for forward funding this important project. We’ve been more than ready and willing to pay our share to get moving. Their work on the front end helped make this all possible.

“Finally, I want to thank Governor Henry McMaster for the important role he played in helping secure these funds,” concluded Graham. “No one in South Carolina has the ear of the Trump Administration more so than Henry McMaster. His efforts were indispensable.”

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