Nadler News

The Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation published its final report on United States freight transportation, offering an assessment of its current condition with recommendations for strengthening nationwide infrastructure and U.S. economy. The panel, led by its Chairman, U.S. Rep John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), was founded by Full Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-W.Va.) in April 2013 to examine U.S. freight transportation, the role it plays on the nation’s economy and ways in which it may be improved, including financially, structurally and technologically. Direct the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Secretary of the Army and the Commandant of the U.S.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler announced that the Port Authority of New York and has approved a comprehensive lease renewal deal for American Stevedoring International (ASI) to continue operations at the Red Hook Container Port for the next 10 years. The approval occurred at today's Port Authority annual meeting. Rep. Nadler applauded the efforts of the Port Authority, the Governor David Paterson, and others for delivering this important deal for and the region, ending more than four years of debate about the port’s future. ASI's previous lease expired in April 2007, and it was proposed years before that the port be rezoned from its historic role as a working waterfront.

Everybody talks about the John J. Harvey, and quite a few of them are doing something about it. The chipping, scraping, and painting you'd expect a 74-year-old fireboat to require has proceeded since the vessel became privately owned in 1999, but that's only the beginning of the discussion. For within the city the fireboat served for its first sixty years, a peculiar love/hate seems to have developed toward the harbor. That, more than leaks, can influence the future of the most historic of vessels, even as it affects contemporary ones doing their daily chores. The John J. Harvey was built for these waters in 1931, launched into them by the Todd shipyards at Brooklyn and serving them steadily, reliably, even heroically.

While lawmakers intend to move quickly to pass legislation aimed at improving maritime and cargo security, officials with major shipping and container companies fear some new rules could be disastrous for international commerce. Industry experts worry that new regulations for screening and inspecting cargo could place odious and costly requirements on shippers, and they are urging lawmakers to be cautious. Lawmakers and industry officials agree that more scrutiny needs to be given to what is inside cargo containers, but exactly how that should be done is a matter of dispute. A bill introduced by House Armed Services Chairman Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., for example, would mandate the inspection of all cargo coming into the United States. Another measure by Rep.

In its daily press briefing, the White House included a lengthy discussion of the process that led to the Administration’s approval of the acquisition by Dubai Ports World (DPW) of U.S. port facilities owned by P&O Ports. The White House also released a Fact Sheet outlining the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Representative Nadler (D-NY) wants the process stopped until Congress can review it thoroughly. Representative Pallone (D-NJ) is seeking legislation to keep ownership of American ports out of the hands of foreign governments. Representative Saxton (R-NJ) indicated that a Congressional hearing would be held in the near future to examine the planned transaction.

The Federal government will commit $450,000 in funding to protect against Coney Island beach erosion, thanks to a successful funding request by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). The Army Corps of Engineers received the funding in the FY03 Omnibus Appropriations Bill for the construction of "T-Groins" (rock jetties) along the beaches of Sea Gate. These T-Groins are the permanent solution recommended in an environmental assessment report, just recently released by the Army Corps. The rock jetties that will be built will present a long-term permanent solution to the erosion of ocean beaches and the build up of sand on the Gravesend Bay side. "My first introduction to the erosion problem occurred soon after I won the 1992 election.

A $7.1 billion authorization for the U.S. Coast Guard’s fiscal year 2004 activities was unanimously approved by the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 25. The measure approved was a manager's amendment of the bill as introduced. It authorizes the agency to expend $7.1 billion during FY 2004. Monies are specifically authorized for review and approval of vessel and facility security plans. Non-tank vessels over 400 gross tons will be required to have oil spill response plans, similar to those required of tank vessels. The liability provisions of OPA 90 are conformed to those found in the Superfund legislation. The measure now goes to the full House for consideration.