14 members of the Georgia House delegation sent a letter to Congressman Mike Simpson, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, outlining their priorities for the fiscal year 2015 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.
The letter requests that the Committee support federal funding for the Savanah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP).
“ The law is clear, the funding is there and the studies are over ,” said Congressman Tom Graves (GA-14). “ The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project has long been ready to move forward, and I will continue working with my colleagues on the Energy and Water Subcommittee to support one of the top economic priorities of our state and nation. ”
Congressman Jack Kingston (GA-01) said, “ This deserving project, backed by a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional delegation, praised by the President and Vice-President, and cleared after a decade of exhaustive studies, should be fully-funded and cleared for construction immediately to protect the 350,000-plus jobs supported by our ports and the $174 million in annual net benefits from this project .”
“ The Savannah River deepening project is of vital importance to the Southeast and the entire nation ,” said Congressman Sanford Bishop (GA-02) , “ Once the project is funded and completed, the port will be a major driver of economic development, create jobs, and boost Georgia’s economy by opening access to world-class trade for the region. ”
“ It’s long overdue that we get this project started ,” stated Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03) . “ The deepening of the Savannah Port provides crucial jobs throughout Georgia, and has an impact on the state’s entire economy. We need this federal funding so we can move forward, and I strongly encourage the committee to include this project in their appropriations. ”
“ The Port of Savannah is an economic engine not just for the region and the state but my district as well ,” said Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) . “ Investment in the port creates jobs for all Georgians, including my constituents in metro Atlanta. This project will ensure that my constituents and their employers can complete in an ever-changing global marketplace. ”
“ To delay the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project any further is simply irresponsible, ” said Congressman Rob Woodall (GA 07) . “ The longer we wait to complete this project, the longer we postpone the economic benefits to follow: benefits that extend far beyond Georgia’s state lines. With bipartisan support in Congress, as well as commitments from President Obama and Vice President Biden, it is time to finally act on this extensively researched and regionally invested project. ”
“ This project is critical to the economic development of Georgia, the southeast region, and indeed our entire nation ,” said Congressman Phil Gingrey (GA-11) . “ It is long past time that the project be fully funded so that the Harbor can be deepened and utilized to its potential. ”
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Press Release, April 3, 2014