Courtney Statement on Passage of Waterway Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), which passed the House yesterday with an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 412-4:

“I am pleased to support this bipartisan bill to improve America’s ports, harbors, and waterways. Our water infrastructure is particularly critical for eastern Connecticut’s economy, and it is heartening that Congress is bipartisan taking steps to invest in our nation’s infrastructure,” Courtney said. “I am particularly proud that the bill includes a long-sought goal of mine, the increased utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Given the economic importance of our ports and harbors and the growing backlog of work that is needed in our state and across the country, increasing the use of the trust fund makes perfect sense as we look ahead to new opportunities in maritime commerce and global trade.”

“Connecticut’s waterways are crucial to our economy, and a robust WRRDA bill is a step toward preserving and improving them for the future. We thank Congressman Courtney for his commitment to strengthening Connecticut’s waterway infrastructure,” said William Gash, Executive Director of the Connecticut Maritime Coalition.

The bill includes provisions to increase the utilization of funds collected into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, outlining a schedule to achieve 100% utilization of all fund revenue to support maintenance and modernization of our nation’s ports and harbors. Congressman Courtney and Congressman Charles Boustany (R-LA) have over successive congresses introduced the Restore America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act, to authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to utilize the full revenue from harbor maintenance taxes to strengthen our nation’s ports and harbors. The pair also joined together in a bipartisan letter urging the completion of the WRRDA conference with provisions aimed at increasing the use of Harbor maintenance Trust Fund resources.