Congressman Lowenthal Delivers Floor Speech on Napolitano Amendment to WRRDA

On October 23, 2013, Congressman Alan Lowenthal delivered the following remarks on the House floor in support of Rep. Grace Napolitano's amendment to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA):

"Mr. Speaker, we are a country of interdependent States that share prosperity, challenges and resources —  united with a goal of a healthy economy supported by quality infrastructure. 

At times, however, inequities in the collection and distribution of federal resources create such an imbalance that one region is put at a distinct disadvantage.  This is the case for California, which collects nearly 1/3 of the nation's Harbor Maintenance taxes, but receives less than 7 percent of the expenditures for port projects.

Ms. Napolitano's amendment, had it been allowed to come to this Floor, would have brought a measure of equity to this stark imbalance. I believe this was a missed opportunity for our nation's Ports.

Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time."