WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President for Government Affairs Bruce Josten today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s signing of H.R. 3080, the “Water Resources Reform and Development Act”:
“In a year in which compromise has been difficult, the House, the Senate, and the administration have come together to enact critical, reform-focused water resources legislation that will not only enable strategic investment in our ports and waterways, but also increase American competitiveness and support well-paying U.S. jobs. The projects that this investment enables will help increase our capacity to export American energy and agriculture and positively impact our ability to compete in the global economy. This is a win for both America’s infrastructure and for the overall economy, and an example of the progress that can be made when economic priorities trump politics.
“Investment in improving the nation’s marine transportation system is long overdue, and we appreciate the leadership of Chairmen Boxer and Shuster in making it a legislative priority. Now, we need to focus on other areas—such as ensuring the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund—in which investment in our nation’s transportation and infrastructure systems can support and grow America’s economy, national defense, and personal mobility.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.