This post was originally published on this site
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act, bipartisan legislation that included a proposal introduced by Reps. Michelle Steel (R-CA) and Josh Harder (D-CA) to address the backlog of cargo ships at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. At the height of the supply chain crisis last year, Rep. Steel introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) – H.R.5885 – that would establish an interagency task force to address the backlog. This proposal would give local Orange County officials a seat at the table with federal agencies tasked with addressing the backlog. It would require each federal agency, outlined below, to evaluate their response to the crisis and develop a plan to address the backlog and once signed into law, this taskforce would need to submit its findings within 90 days.
“The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles move 40% of all shipping containers entering the U.S., and the backlog at these ports is contributing to the growing supply chain crisis and skyrocketing price of goods,” said Rep. Steel. “Orange County families are tired of seeing cargo ships idling off the coastline, and our bipartisan proposal would help get to the root of this crisis. I urge the Senate to swiftly take up this legislation so our taskforce can get signed into law and provide families with relief.”
“I’m laser focused on lowering prices for Central Valley families, and getting our ports moving again is a huge piece of that puzzle,” said Rep. Harder. “Today, I was proud to see our efforts to ensure we address the supply chain pass the House with bipartisan support. Now it’s time to get this bill signed into law, get our ports moving, and get prices down for everyone in the Valley.”
The Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act authorizes two years of funds for the U.S. Coast Guard. The taskforce would include representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard (Lead), Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Interior, Department of Justice, Department of Labor, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Maritime Commission, and the General Services Administration. State agencies and the local Port Authorities would also be included.
