Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore,}
Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) has launched H.R. 440, the “Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act,” which might unlock billions in already-collected charges to take care of U.S. ports and harbors.
Currently, the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (Trust Fund) collects extra income from shippers than Congress has appropriated to the U.S. Army Corps (Corps) of Engineers to take care of harbors.
“Approximately $9.3 billion in already collected revenue sits idle in the U.S. Treasury, not being used for its intended purpose of investing in our nation’s ports and harbors,” says a press launch issued by Chairman DeFazio’s workplace. “At the same time, some ports and harbors of all sizes struggle to remain competitive in the global shipment of goods and services or remain open to meet the needs of the communities that depend on a vibrant maritime and commercial fishing industry. While shippers continue to pay into the Trust Fund for congressionally-approved maintenance activities, the federal government has not carried out many of them.”
This bipartisan invoice makes it simpler for Congress to applicable any funds collected within the Trust Fund for licensed harbor upkeep wants, together with the prevailing $9.3 billion steadiness within the Trust Fund. The laws allows the expenditure of roughly $34 billion over the following decade, which can permit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to dredge all federal harbors to their constructed widths and depths.
“As someone who represents a coastal district, I’ve heard from countless fishermen, ship, tug and barge operators about the critical need for safe and well-maintained ports and harbors that allow them to do their jobs and keep our economy moving. And I agree,” stated Chairman DeFazio. “The federal authorities needs to be utilizing the charges it collects at our ports for his or her meant goal — harbor upkeep. By merely spending what’s already being collected we will guarantee our nation’s ports and harbors stay open for enterprise and might proceed to maintain our native, regional, and nationwide economies.
“Ultimately it is taxpayers and consumers who pay the cost of the HMT, as a pass through on the price of goods shipped through ports,” continued DeFazio. “However, when harbors are inefficiently dredged and maintained it leads to delays and increased prices. So, taxpayers are paying for a service that is not being done, and as a result, have to pay MORE for the goods they buy because of the lack of maintenance. It’s time Congress fully funds the operation and maintenance of our commercial harbors, including critical jetty and breakwater work. I urge my colleagues to support this critical, bipartisan legislation.”
