November 2, 2015
The Honorable XX
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the undersigned organizations representing manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, wholesalers, retailers, importers, exporters, distributors, transportation and logistics providers, and other supply chain stakeholders, we urge support for the amendment offered by Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) to include the "Port Performance Act" in the "Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act" (H.R. 3763).We believe this bill is an important first step to gain empirical visibility into how U.S. ports are operating, identify key congestion issues, and ensure our nation's commerce continues to flow efficiently. The language has already been approved in the Senate-passed "DRIVE Act" (H.R. 22).
U.S. ports are a key component in the American transportation system and the global supply chain upon which thousands of businesses and millions of workers depend for the efficient movement of goods. Unfortunately, due to a variety of contributing factors, congestion has become commonplace at ports across the country. This congestion has resulted in slowdowns, bottlenecks, and chokepoints that impact the efficient flow of cargo with far reaching impacts on all supply chain stakeholders. One only needs to look at the damage caused to the U.S. economy from the slowdowns and congestion that impacted U.S. ports earlier this year. Today's reality is that supply chain stakeholders do not have any consistent or objective means to measure performance in these key marine transportation nodes.
There is a strong need to start collecting basic uniform data on port performance as a means to address ongoing congestion issues that impact the national economy. This is an essential step to ensure that we fully understand the current and future challenges facing our ports and identify the right solutions. We stand ready to work with you in support of this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Agricultural & Food Transporters Conference
Agricultural Retailers Association
Agriculture Transportation Coalition
Airforwarders Association
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
Almond Hullers & Processors Association
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
American Chemistry Council
American Cotton Shippers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Frozen Food Institute
American Home Furnishings Alliance
American Import Shippers Association
American Potato Trade Alliance
American Pyrotechnics Association
American Soybean Association
American Trucking Associations
Association of American Railroads
Association of Food Industries
Auto Care Association
California Business Properties Association
California Chamber of Commerce
California Farm Bureau Federation
California League of Food Processors
California Trucking Association
California Retailers Association
California Walnut Commission
CAWA – Representing the automotive Parts Industry
Columbia River Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association
Customs Brokers & International Freight Forwarders of Washington State
Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of Northern California
Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA)
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America
Foreign Trade Association
Gamma Industry Processing Alliance
Gemini Shippers Association
Global Automakers
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Halloween Industry Association
Harbor Trucking Association
Institute of Makers of Explosives
Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference
International Association of Movers (IAM)
International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses
International Refrigerated Transportation Association
International Source Suppliers and Producers Association
International Wood Products Association
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association
Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association
Meat Import Council of America
Midwest Shippers Association
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
National Association of Chemical Distributors
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America
National Grain and Feed Association
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Onion Association
National Pork Producers Council
National Potato Council
National Retail Federation
National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council (NASSTRAC)
National Waste & Recycling Association
New Jersey Motor Truck Association
North American Home Furnishings Association
North American Meat Institute
North American Shippers Association, Inc.
National Association of Manufacturers
Northwest Food Processors Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Oregon Export Straw Association
Oregon Farm Bureau
Oregon Potato Commission
Oregon Women for Agriculture
Oregonians for Food and Shelter
Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc.
PPAI - Promotional Products Association International
Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association
Pacific Northwest Asia Shippers Association
Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association
Retail Industry Leaders Association
San Diego Customs Brokers Association
The Fertilizer Institute
The Hardwood Federation
The National Industrial Transportation League
The Waterfront Coalition
Toy Industry Association
Travel Goods Association (TGA)
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Fashion Industry Association
United Fresh Produce Association
United States Hide, Skin and Leather Association
US Dry Bean Council
US Forage Export Council
USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council
Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Washington Cattle Feeders Association
Washington Council for International Trade
Washington Farm Bureau
Washington Friends of Farms & Forests
Washington Grain Commission
Washington Retail Association
Washington State Hay Growers Association
Washington State Potato Commission
Western Growers