Posted:
January 29, 2013
Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA) has introduced the Realize America's Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act in the 113th Congress, legislation that if enacted would ensure funds collected via the Harbor Maintenance Tax and deposited in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for their intended purpose - dredging and maintaining the nation's waterways.
"As we begin the 113th Congress, I want to highlight the need to fully allocate funding to keep America's ports and harbors competitive," Rep. Boustany said. "This bipartisan legislation guarantees funds collected on imports at ports within the United States by the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for the sole purpose of dredging and maintaining the nation's waterways. These funds play a pivotal role in ensuring our country remains a global leader in trade."
As noted by Rep. Boustany, harbor maintenance is vital to ensuring the continued viability and effectiveness of ports and waterways in southern Louisiana.
The dredging deficit remains a crisis on the Great Lakes, forcing vessels to load light and leave thousands of tons of cargo at the docks in order to navigate inadequately dredged waterways that have not been maintained at their project depths.
The RAMP Act, H.R. 335, was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and to the Committee on Rules. As of Jan. 23, the legislation had 47 cosponsors.
Rep. Boustany introduces RAMP Act in 113th Congress
Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA) has introduced the Realize America's Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act in the 113th Congress, legislation that if enacted would ensure funds collected via the Harbor Maintenance Tax and deposited in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for their intended purpose - dredging and maintaining the nation's waterways.
"As we begin the 113th Congress, I want to highlight the need to fully allocate funding to keep America's ports and harbors competitive," Rep. Boustany said. "This bipartisan legislation guarantees funds collected on imports at ports within the United States by the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for the sole purpose of dredging and maintaining the nation's waterways. These funds play a pivotal role in ensuring our country remains a global leader in trade."
As noted by Rep. Boustany, harbor maintenance is vital to ensuring the continued viability and effectiveness of ports and waterways in southern Louisiana.
The dredging deficit remains a crisis on the Great Lakes, forcing vessels to load light and leave thousands of tons of cargo at the docks in order to navigate inadequately dredged waterways that have not been maintained at their project depths.
The RAMP Act, H.R. 335, was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and to the Committee on Rules. As of Jan. 23, the legislation had 47 cosponsors.