Chip Cravaack: “In the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last year, Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil…”

“In the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last year, Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, testified that the administration was preparing to expand the scope of projects eligible to receive Harbor Trust Fund monies. She alluded to the administration's interest in using the Harbor Trust Fund for port security, among other things. While I support the funding of port security through appropriations, I oppose repurposing the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund while our Nation's maritime infrastructure is in a state of disrepair. Eight out of 10 of the Nation's largest harbors are not dredged their authorized depths and widths. Mr. Chairman, make no mistake: This has direct impact on American job creation and prosperity. When American ships have to light load to clear the shallowest channel, American economic productivity is lost. For instance, every inch silted in the American Laker Fleet collectively, per voyage, leaves 8,000 tons of Minnesota iron ore on the docks in Duluth. That's enough to produce over 6,000 cars. Moreover, light loading causes increased transportation costs for our exports and decreases our national economic competitiveness. Every billion dollars in exports, Mr. Chairman, translates into 15,000 jobs. We must, Mr. Chairman, ensure that the monies intended for dredging are not siphoned off for other programs.…”