Port Corpus Christi has expressed its support for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, leaders of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) for their efforts in advancing H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA).
“ Texas is one of the country’s largest maritime states, and our ports directly and indirectly employ nearly one million Texans ,” said Congressman Blake Farenthold . “The Port of Corpus Christi must be prepared to support an increase in worldwide waterborne trade caused by the growing Texas economy, the deepening of the Panama Canal, and the booming energy industry. The bipartisan WRRDA legislation creates jobs, cuts red tape, and modernizes our port infrastructure. It will help the Port of Corpus Christi and local industry create good paying jobs for area families .”
“ I congratulate the House of Representatives especially members of our Texas Delegation who voted for passage of WRDDA. The bill takes an important step in addressing key concerns to Port Corpus Christi such as program reforms, project delivery, streamlines studies and construction and allows for use of the federal Harbor Maintenance Tax to maintain our nations’ shipping channels, ” said John LaRue, Executive Director . “ The Corpus Christi Ship Channel project which was authorized in WRDA 2007 and is underway will benefit in the future from the streamlined reviews and potential funding opportunities .”
“ More than a quarter of America’s annual GDP is based on the value of goods that transit in and out of our ports. In order to keep our economic recovery progressing, we must ensure these goods can move efficiently, without avoidable and costly delays caused by inadequate or poorly maintained infrastructure ,” said Kurt Nagle, AAPA’s President and CEO . Both the WRRDA bill passed by the House, and the Senate version (S.601) which passed in May, has provisions that address a number of the needs of America’s seaports.
“ I urge Congress to advance WRRDA to conference as soon as possible for final passage to speed up vitally needed maintenance and improvements in our nation’s seaports and waterways, ” said John LaRue.
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Press Release, November 10, 2013