Time to Take the Wheel

Although I am a Capitol Hill inhabitant, unlike many of the other fellows, I have not had the chance to intern on the Hill or attend a Congressional hearing; so when my boss invited me to attend two in the coming week I had no clue what to expect. Tuesday was Education and Wednesday: Seaports. I believe that I know as much about seaports as the next citizen.

While I recognize that 71% of the Earth is comprised of water, until today, I did not fully recognize how vital a role the oceans play in our future as a nation and as a world.

The maritime industry alone impacts over 13 million jobs as well as our competitiveness in the global economy. The topic of today's hearing posed a perplexing question: Is the United States prepared for the 21st century trade realities?

After attending the two-hour long hearing, I have an unfortunate answer: no. While both sides of the aisle seem to understand the gravity of the issue and its ability to hinder our future economic growth, the more immediate issue is the broken branch of Congress we have spent the past weeks reading about.

Countless testimonials only further underscored the fact that it is time to "lay down our swords and stand side by side for the good of nation," as Peter Peyton, the President of the ILWU Marine Clerks Association, demanded. He explained that in California, there are 62 projects that would translate into 100,000 high-paying construction jobs waiting to be unearthed, but restrained by unnecessary "bureaucratic red tape."

Representative Corrine Brown (D-FL) offered the most passionate proposal, even stating that she would gladly vote on ANY bill her fellow Congressmen offered to clean up the mess we are in, but someone must first introduce a bill. She fervently remarked that she "is sick and tired of all of the talk, but no one walking the walk. It is time to bring our A game and work together. You give me a bill, bring it to the floor, bring it to committee. Show me something."

In a current economic climate where Congressmen find it difficult to prioritize, the issue of maritime trade is at the forefront of debate. Paul Anderson, the CEO of the Jacksonville Port Authority, relayed that our "national recovery can come by sea" but it is up to our Congress and Administration to act. It is time to take the wheel and as Representative Bishop (D-NY) urged, "get this ship back on even keel." The one thing stopping Congress from getting us there? Itself.

-AMC