Appropriations Bill Prioritizes Trade Through Port Funding Hikes, Says AAPA

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 puts into law many federal programs that are critical to the “safe, efficient and competitive operation” of U.S. seaports, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) said in a Jan. 17 press release. In the legislation, lawmakers prioritized trade through the inclusion of Department of Transportation Infrastructure Generating Economic Recovery discretionary grants, U.S. Corps of Engineers’ navigation-related programs, Federal Emergency Management Agency state and local programs grants that include port security funds for port security, Environment Protection Agency Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grants, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration subprograms that aid navigation, among other programs, AAPA said.

The bill provides $5.5 billion in total funding for the Corps of Engineers civil works programs, a significant increase from the $4.8 billion advocated in the administration budget, said AAPA in one example. “Of the total appropriated in this bill, an important milestone was reached with a funding level of $1 billion dedicated to navigation channel dredging operations and maintenance,” said AAPA, while going on to praise other portions of the legislation. “This compares to $890 million in the Administration fiscal 2014 budget request.” The legislation passed the House on Jan. 15 and the Senate the following day (see 14011716). President Obama signed the legislation into law on Jan. 17.