Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, Part II

Floor Speech

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Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment as the lead cosponsor with Mr. Boustany of the RAMP Act, H.R. 104, that had approximately over 150 cosponsors on both sides of the aisle, people from all corners of the country. This really should be a measure that we should move forward on and fully fund, as well as with the language that, again, Mr. Boustany crafted to offer here today.

There, frankly, are other reasons why we called that bill the Restore America's Maritime Promise Act, which is that again we're a great maritime Nation. In fact, our national defense requires having a strong Navy that can navigate all along the coast. And where I'm from, up in the State of Connecticut, the Groton sub base needs to be dredged out year in and year out. But just like everybody else, it depends on the kindness of the Army Corps of Engineers. This is really a priority that obviously, as others have said, affects our economy, our exports, and also our national defense, and we should support this measure.

Again, I applaud the gentleman for bringing it forward.

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