Raise Concern About Harbor Maintenance Funding Language Stripped From Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The co-chairs of the Congressional Ports Caucus, Congressmen Ted Poe (TX-02) and Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), today issued the following joint statement regarding the House passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018: 

“We are glad that once again the House has passed a Water Resources bill this year. This process is critical to authorize important projects and studies across the country. 

While we are pleased that the House has continued to increase appropriations for harbor maintenance, as co-chairs of the Congressional Ports Caucus we believe that Congress should use this bill to ensure the full use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. It is long past time that the proceeds from this user fee go to their intended purpose: maintaining our nation’s harbors, and we are disappointed that language to make this key reform was removed from the bill.

Ports move freight, they support American exports, and they drive our economy. It is critical that we make needed investments to modernize our harbors and ensure they remain competitive.”