On the recordMarch 4, 2014
In Georgia, 352,000 jobs are related to the Port of Savannah. It is a major export facility exporting 62 percent of the goods that go through there. We would have even more jobs if we deepened the Savannah River from 42 to 47 feet. In fact, the payoff, the cost-benefit analysis is a dollar spent and a $5.50 return. Yet, after 14 years and $41 million worth of study, Congress, the bureaucracy, just barely has said let's go forward. Congress, in January, signaled that we had had enough; cut the red tape, get the project moving, and classified it as a project under construction. The President and Vice President have repeatedly said they support the project, yet, to my shock, and those of us in Congress, in their budget, which just has come out, they have not funded this important job-creating project. I do not understand it. I am astounded by an administration who claims to say this is the year of action. Why would they not move forward on deepening the Savannah River? Three hundred and fifty-two thousand jobs are related to this, cost- benefit analysis of 1 to 5.5. Yet, the administration continues to dither. ____________________
