RELEASE: To Fix Ports & Supply Chain Backlog, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is Critical

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, October 27, 2021, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) highlighted how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and its historic transportation and infrastructure investments will help combat the port and supply chain issues impacting our nation, businesses, workers, and economy.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill passed the Senate in early August 2021 with 69 votes — all 50 Democratic Senators and 19 Republican Senators. The bill now needs to pass the House and be signed into law by the President, while Congress continues working on a robust reconciliation package that restores the State and Local Tax deduction, invests in child care, includes critical provisions to combat climate change, among other key priorities.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill includes the following federal investments and provisions that will help combat port and supply chain issues:

• Overall Investment — $17 billion: Overall, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill invests a total $17 billion in port infrastructure to address repair and maintenance backlogs, reduce congestion and emissions near ports, and drive electrification and other low-carbon technologies.

• Improvements to Port Infrastructure to Remove Bottlenecks: The investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill will modernize port infrastructure and make it more resilient and sustainable, which will help remove bottlenecks and expedite commerce and reduce environmental impacts.

• $11.6 Billion to Combat the Backlog of Construction Projects: The legislation includes $11.6 billion for Army Corps of Engineers construction projects — to help address the major backlog of authorized projects that have yet to receive investment. The Army Corps of Engineers partner with local port authorities and oversee dredging and construction projects at hundreds of ports and harbors.

• Investment for Port Facilities: Within the overall investment, there is $450 million per year for five years for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to make significant improvements to improve port facilities on our coasts, rivers and Great Lakes. 

“We are currently facing a shipping and supply chain crisis. These supply chain issues, increasing costs, and delays are crippling small businesses and impacting our families and local economies, especially with the holiday season around the corner,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “To help fix the port and supply chain backlog, we need to immediately pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and get it signed into law. This historic bill will make once-in-a-century investments in port infrastructure, to address repair and maintenance backlogs, improve port facilities, and help get more goods moving into our nation. Our country cannot afford to delay.”

Earlier this month, Gottheimer joined with elected officials, the Port Authority of NY and NJ, the Federal Maritime Commission, and stakeholders at the Port in Newark and announced steps to combat supply chain issues, ocean freight carrier delays, and rising shipping costs hurting North Jersey small businesses, workers, and families.

Gottheimer is also cosponsoring key bipartisan legislation, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021, to take major steps to mitigate supply chain issues and help ensure that businesses and consumers aren’t facing untenable delays and price increases.

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