Highway Bill News

Import cargo volume at the United States’ major retail container ports is expected to increase 7.3 percent this month over the same time last year as retailers stock up for the busy back-to-school season, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. “Now that West Coast ports have recovered from the congestion caused by the recently settled contract dispute, retailers are focused on the back-to-school season to ensure that parents can find the supplies and clothing their children need for the fall…

SEAS Act to Repeal Section 100124 of Highway Bill. U.S. Representatives Elijah E. Cummings (D, MD-07) and Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) today introduced the Saving Essential American Sailors (SEAS) Act, H.R. 6170, which would ensure American food aid is transported by American workers. The bill repeals Section 100124 of the highway bill, MAP-21. Additional original co-sponsors include Congress members Nick Rahall (D, WV-03), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Bennie Thompson (D, MS-02), Colleen Hanabusa (D…

U.S. Congressman Nick Rahall to receive 11th Annual Waterways Council Leadership Service Award. U.S. Congressman Nick J. Rahall, II (WV-03) will receive the Eleventh Annual Waterways Council, Inc. Leadership Service Award on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC. A reception will be held at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and the Leadership Award presentation. U.S. Representative Rahall, a West Virginia native who represents his state’s Third Congressional District…

Chairman Mica's vision for reauthorizing the nation's surface transportation legislation goes beyond the traditional "highway bill" approach and is expected to address road, rail, transit and maritime for a comprehensive solution to many of the transportation problems the nation faces. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) has urged the committee to include a maritime title in the transportation bill to address the harbor maintenance tax problem and navigation project development inefficiencies.

Michael P. Ryan, President and CEO, American Commercial Lines Inc., shares with readers of MarineLink.com his insights on key market drivers for the coming year. What legislative/political issue do you count as the most important for the marine industry in the next few years? MR: Investment in transportation infrastructure presents an enormous opportunity for the marine industry and our nation. Thoughtful policy makers are embracing efforts to modernize the entire U.S. transportation infrastructure — including air, highways, rail and waterways.