| From our friends at National Waterways Conference
News Alert - Hearings This Week
April 8, 2019
House T&I Water Resources Subcommittee to Focus on HMTF and inland waterways needs
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee will hear from industry witnesses on Wednesday morning to discuss “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and Investment in Our Nation’s Waterways Matter.”
Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) has long pushed to require full utilization of the annual receipts from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). Such expenditures are called for in WRRDA 14 but not mandated. DeFazio will renew his efforts this session as the committee chairman. In addition, the subcommittee will examine funding needs for the inland waterways as it seeks to address aging infrastructure along the system.
NWC Executive Committee member Phyllis Harden of Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Co. will appear at the hearing. Other witnesses include: Rick Goche, Port of Bandon, Oregon; Eugene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles; Bonnie Brady, Long Island Commercial Fishing Association; Kevin Ross, National Corn Growers Association; Peter Stephaich, Campbell Transportation Co., and Kirsten Wallace, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 at 9:30am in HVC 210 (Capitol Visitors Center), and can be viewed on the committee’s website at transportation.house.gov
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to Dig Into USACE Budget
On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee will focus on the fiscal year 2020 budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program. In the hot seat will be the Honorable R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Work), and Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, Commanding General and Chief of Engineers. Much like the House hearing last month, the budget request is expected to be widely criticized for failing to support the nation’s infrastructure needs.
The hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 at 2:30pm in 138 Dirksen Senate Office Building
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