On the recordApril 29, 2015
I encourage my colleagues to support this amendment because it is critically important that we provide the necessary funding to ensure that our ports are fully dredged and properly maintained. The port in Wilmington, North Carolina, plays a vital role in helping our State's farmers and other businesses export their goods to foreign markets. In fact, a recent study showed that Wilmington's port contributes $14 billion toward North Carolina's economy and supports, both directly and indirectly, nearly 77,000 jobs in our State. Without the proper funding, our ports will continue to deteriorate, and we risk putting our farmers and local industry--indeed, America--at a competitive disadvantage.
