Tom Harkin: “I rise to discuss a bipartisan measure on which I have worked closely with my colleague from Missouri, Senator Bond. The…”

“I rise to discuss a bipartisan measure on which I have worked closely with my colleague from Missouri, Senator Bond. The purpose of this bill is to expand the transportation infrastructure and improve the ecosystem of the upper Mississippi River. I have been deeply involved with Mississippi navigation issues because of their enormous importance to farmers in Iowa. Efficient river transportation is critical to keeping Iowa commodity costs competitive with foreign and domestic alternatives. When shipping on the river is constrained, costs rise. That, in turn, leads to price increases for moving bulk farm commodities by alternative means, mainly rail. These price differentials seem relatively small compared to the total price, but they make a huge difference in farm income. Clearly, river traffic on the Mississippi is incredibly important to producers in my State. As a result of traffic congestion on the Mississippi, producers in the upper Midwest face longer shipping times, higher costs, and lost revenue. In the short run, enhanced traffic management can improve the situation. And it is important to have helper boats to push long barges through crowded locks. This bill addresses these two matters. But we need a longer-term solution, too. It is incredibly important that we modernize a number of the locks on the upper Mississippi--and we need to get started as soon as possible.”