Peter DeFazio

I appreciate your testimony.

I think we have a little work to do downtown at the White House on that issue, but it is critical.

By including these investments in a comprehensive infrastructure package, we will ensure that resources committed to our nation's infrastructure will be effective.

I encourage you to prioritize investments in our failing water systems alongside our need to invest in America's roads, bridges, and transit systems.

If we commit to making these investments, we will protect not only the local needs of the Central Valley, but also our country's access to healthy, home-grown food.

The federal government's investments in infrastructure have not kept pace with our needs.

I have been, obviously, focused on recapturing the Harbor Maintenance Tax. That will relieve some of the burden on the Corps, which could free up some money, but we really need to look at increased funding there, and how we can get there.

Congress needs to address this not only to help the economy, but also to promote basic public safety.

This country needs significant investment in our infrastructure to build a strong foundation for a successful economy.

Infrastructure is so important to our communities and the need for investment is so great.

I urge the Committee to provide a significant boost for water infrastructure programs under its jurisdiction.

We owe the American people no less.

My parents' generation left us a world-class infrastructure system, and I look forward to working with you on these important initiatives to meet that promise for generations to come.

We must now act to address this challenge, by coming together and enacting legislation that will make a difference.

Every day that we wait to act also means the price tag to fix our infrastructure goes up.

I made clear to the President that taking action to address our infrastructure needs is not optional.

If enacted, we would still have 12 to 13 years of funds sets aside for retiree health premiums, a total of $47-and-a-half billion.

A simple repeal of the pre-funding mandate remains the most obvious solution to the postal financial crisis.

This represents a substantial increase and a significant impediment to travel.

The wealthy, the 1%ers, and those traveling on expense accounts will likely not notice an $8.50 PFC.

AEM supports past proposals from Chairman Peter DeFazio to ensure that funds meant for the HMTF remain designated.

But that we should spend that down in a programmed way to meet deferred maintenance and needs in both large ports and small ports.

Well, let's just say, is there anybody on the panel who disagrees that we should spend all of the collected taxes on an annual basis, we should appropriate the total amount on an annual basis because there are needs out there?

I urge your continued support for this legislation which would virtually ensure Congress uses already-collected funding to maintain our Nation's ports and harbors.

I will again introduce legislation to fully utilize Trust Fund proceeds for their intended purposes.