On the recordMay 20, 2014
I thank Ranking Member Rahall. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you to Chairman Shuster for your leadership. What a joy and pleasure it was for me to serve on the conference committee as we worked together to bring forth this amazing water bill that will do so much in this country to create jobs. I am most happy, of course, with the language in this bill that will finally allow us to fully utilize our Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund so that the ports across this country can be invested in with the taxes that we collect at the port, and that also, because of the leadership of Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall, these ports will also be able to use this money for some expanded uses. I believe with all my heart that when our ports are strong in this country, our country is strong. This bill does more to ensure the investment, the so important investment, in the critical infrastructure in our Nation's ports. My ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles are pleased with this, but really it is for all the ports in this country. Thank you for your leadership. I think this is an excellent bill. I urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
