On the recordJune 10, 2014
This morning, I watched as President Obama signed the long overdue Water Resources Reform and Development Act into law. This new law is good news, particularly for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which stand to gain tens of millions of dollars that they have collected in their harbor maintenance tax. It will help create good-paying jobs and keep our ports globally competitive. As a representative of the Nation's busiest port complex, I believe it is about time that our Nation's ports finally get the critical investments that they need to remain strong. It has been a long haul, but after months of meetings and hearings, the ideas to fully spend this harbor maintenance tax and to increase the flexibility of the funds for these ports were included in the final water bill that was signed by the President. President Obama and Congress recognize the critical importance of our ports to our Nation's economic growth and sustainability. Today's action is a victory not only for those ports in my community, but for all of our Nation's ports. ____________________
