On the recordMay 24, 2016
The Panama Canal expansion is set to open next month, posing challenges for many of our Nation's ports. That is why it is more important than ever that our ports have the funding that they need to prepare for the future and stay globally competitive. Since coming to Congress, I have led an effort to ensure that money collected at our Nation's ports in the harbor maintenance tax be spent at our Nation's ports. We have set up a glide path to get us to 100 percent spending of the funding by 2025, and each year we have a target to get closer to that goal. This week, we are voting on the energy and water appropriations bill on the floor, and I want to thank the leadership of the Appropriations Committee--Chairmen Rogers and Simpson and Ranking Members Lowey and Kaptur--for recognizing the importance of port spending targets. This year $1.2 billion is set to go back to our ports and our port communities, making it the third year in a row that we have hit our target. I am proud of this continued achievement. This funding will go to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where I come from, and also to ports across this country to create construction jobs and economic opportunities for decades to come. ____________________
