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."
