Congresswoman Richardson Makes Major Progress for Port Communities While Supporting Actions that Will Secure and Improve the American Military, Provide for Service Men and Women and Establish Tools for the Nation's Ports to be Prepared in Times of Crisis

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson helped make major progress for port communities while supporting actions that will secure and improve the American military, provide for service men and establish tools for the nation's ports to be prepared in times of crisis by voting in favor of H.R. 5136, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011.
The Port Look 2008 Strategic Seaport Study was adopted to develop and implement a plan to optimize the use of strategic seaports. Specifically, the study was asked to address cost effectiveness, manning requirements, and location and maximization of utilization of resources for each strategic port; include an analysis of how each Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) strategic port is chosen; and include provisions for consultation with the local port authority for any strategic port at which there is no permanent SDDC presence.

"Those of us who live and work in port communities, like California's 37th District, know we are only as secure as our ports are secure," Congresswoman Richardson said. That is why I offered the Richardson Amendment, #44, which was accepted and passed, that will expand the scope of the report to include consideration of the infrastructure beyond the facilities inside the port that are already covered and evaluate the vicinity of strategic ports, including bridges, roads and rail capacity. It is undeniable that in time of war, "the role of the ports is to connect the forts.'"

The Defense Authorization Act provides the funding needed to equip, train and car for our troops. In addition, the bill includes $1.2 billion for projects in Afghanistan to allow our commanders on the ground to immediately respond to military construction needs in theater. It also authorizes $13.6 billion for the training of all active duty and reserve forces to increase readiness as troops experience greater dwell time following the Iraq drawdown. It helps military families by providing a 1.9 percent military pay raise, expanding TRICARE health coverage to include adult dependent children up to age 26, and increasing family separation allowance for troops who are deployed away from their families. Under this legislation, U.S. troops will receive increases in their hostile fire and imminent danger pay for the first time since 2004 and will be eligible for expanded college loan repayment benefits. The bill continues the on ban permanent bases in Iraq and Afghanistan and the prohibition against U.S. control of Iraqi oil. Importantly, it requires reports on responsible redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq and the capacity of the Government of Iraq to stand on its own, as well as and the status of nearly 1,000 projects, programs, and activities that will need to be closed or transferred over a short period of time as a result of the drawdown.

"If the transportation systems and infrastructure in and around our strategic ports are deficient, compromised or inaccessible, the ports will be unable to serve in their originating national security roles," Congresswoman Richardson added. "By including bridges, roads and rail, Long Beach and Los Angeles are in better consideration for additional funding that is desperately needed at this time."

Lastly, Congresswoman Richardson was a part of beginning the necessary steps to finally repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and end the workplace discrimination through which 13,500 brave young men and women have been discharged.

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