Maritime
Inland waterways and harbors are important components of the nation's transportation system. Like highways and runways, our nation's 12,000-mile Mississippi inland waterway system, which funnels into the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth in Louisiana, is an important transport resource. The Mississippi River moves approximately 500 million tons of cargo, such as raw materials, various liquids, and agriculture commodities, to ports located along the Mississippi River system each year.
Since the 1700s, Louisiana has played an important role in connecting our nation's economy both domestically and internationally through deep-water shipping and use of the aforementioned inland waterway system. This tradition, dating back generations, is no less important today as evidenced by the hundreds of thousands of jobs supported by the industry.
Congressman Scalise is a strong advocate of the Jones Act, and is committed to supporting the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, sustaining the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, and ensuring our harbors and waterways are dredged appropriately so that Louisiana can continue to meet our nation's maritime demands.
This year Congressman Scalise passed an amendment on the House Floor eliminating the need for repetitive visits to a Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) application center, and reducing burdensome red tape for thousands of Americans who help move commerce on our waterways. Congressman Scalise will continue fighting for common sense policies that reduce bureaucratic barriers that stunt economic activity and job growth in our country.
Louisiana shippers, operators, suppliers, pilots, dredgers and others that directly and indirectly support maritime efforts play in important role in the recovery and growth of our economy. Congressman Scalise is honored to be a strong advocate and steward of this vitally important industry.
For more information concerning Congressman Scalise's work and views on Maritime issues, please contact his Washington, DC office.