[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 99 (Thursday, July 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1048-E1049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2014

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JANICE HAHN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2609) making 
     appropriations for energy and water development and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and 
     for other purposes:

  Ms. HAHN. Madam Chair, I rise to express my concern about the 
amendment accepted into the Energy & Water Appropriations bill last 
night that prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from using any of the 
funds appropriated in that act for even suggesting expanded uses of the 
Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
  I represent the Port of Los Angeles, a Port which, combined with the 
adjacent Port of Long Beach, constitutes the busiest port complex in 
the United States. Forty percent of the cargo that comes into this 
country flows through the Ports of LA and Long Beach.
  The Ports of LA and Long Beach contribute more to the Harbor 
Maintenance Trust Fund than any other port--over $263 million last 
year. That's money that comes out of the pockets of American 
businesses, an added cost borne by American consumers who rely on the 
Ports of LA and Long Beach being efficient and strong.
  But because this port complex--arguably the most important port in 
the Nation--is blessed by geology, we have little need for dredging to 
remain deep and wide. And so my port sees less than a penny return for 
every dollar it contributes to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. And 
that means that all those American businesses and consumers who are 
forking over $263 million every year are seeing practically no benefit.
  The port they rely on is cut out of the narrow uses set for the HMTF. 
I don't think that's fair, and I don't think that's smart. Why have we 
structured the use of the HMTF in such a way that 40 percent of the 
Nation's imports are not seeing any benefit?
  Every port, big and small, deserves to be completely and promptly 
dredged. That's why achieving full utilization of the Harbor 
Maintenance Trust Fund is so critical. But we also need to address the 
donor equity issue faced by deep draft commercial ports like mine, who 
handle so much cargo and see so little investment in return. And so 
yes, I think we need to examine some expanded uses--including 
maintenance berth dredging and some landside uses closely tied to the 
port--so that the HMTF does in fact contribute to the strength of all 
ports in this great country.

[[Page E1049]]



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