U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD (R-Southwest Louisiana), testified Friday on H.R. 104 – The Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act at the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment hearing. The bill, introduced by Boustany, ensures funds brought into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for their intended purpose – the dredging and maintenance of the nation’s ports and waterways.
“Louisiana’s economy depends on our waterways,” Boustany said. “Dredging and maintaining coastal harbors and ports are absolutely critical to bolstering trade, creating jobs and strengthening American competitiveness. This bill creates the fully-funded, long-term dredging plan necessary for realizing our economic potential not only in Louisiana, but across the country.”
The RAMP Act, introduced by Congressman Boustany in January, guarantees the funds collected annually by the Harbor Maintenance Tax on imports at U.S. ports are allocated by Congress for the sole purpose of dredging and maintenance. The Harbor Maintenance Tax collects $1.3 to $1.6 billion annually.
Similar language regarding dredging was also included in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s six-year Surface Transportation bill.
Boustany’s bill is cosponsored by more than 100 members from both sides of the aisle, including:
-Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan
-Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp
-Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton
-Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas
The RAMP Act is also cosponsored by Louisiana Congressmen Rodney Alexander, Bill Cassidy, Steve Scalise, John Fleming and Cedric Richmond. The Senate version has 23 co-sponsors including Louisiana Senators David Vitter and Mary Landrieu.
[mappress]
Source: U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, July 11, 2011