Congresswoman Calls for Increased Port Funding

Business & Finance

Yesterday, at two separate Congressional hearings, Congresswoman Janice Hahn (CA-44) continued her steady advocacy for strong ports by calling for an investigation into recent activity by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and testifying in front of the House Budget Committee for increased port funding in the upcoming budget.

At a hearing of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Congresswoman Hahn urged Federal Maritime Chairman Mario Cordero to investigate actions by the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) during recent labor contract negotiations at West Coast ports. Hahn than testified before the House Budget Committee and called on her colleagues to increase funding to the nation’s ports.

Congresswoman Hahn, who represents the Port of Los Angeles and co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional PORTS Caucus, has long been an advocate for increased spending of the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) on port infrastructure.

Hahn led a successful effort last Congress to increase HMT spending and condemned sharp cuts to port funding in the President’s recent FY16 budget proposal.