Political Quotes

“I understand the benefits that the Maritime Security Program will bring to the United States. However, I am concerned that, because this program will be funded through yearly appropriations, folks will come looking for offsets every year, which might result in new tax proposals, user fee proposals, new duties, or other revenue raising mechanisms to be imposed upon the maritime industry at some point down the road. This would be devastating to the export/import trade in my home State of Montana, as well as in other States, because a tonnage tax is particularly harmful to bulk commodities. Bulk commodities, as we all know, are highly price sensitive in the extremely competitive world market--an increase of a few cents a ton, caused by new taxes or fees, can make the difference between whether a foreign purchaser buys U.S. grain or grain from some other country. I do not believe that exporters and importers should bear the burden of funding--through tonnage taxes or user fees--this program. On the contrary, because the program is designed to benefit the country as a whole, it should be funded from general receipts from the treasury, and, as I understand it, that is what this act does, is that correct?”