Chairman Murray, US Secretary of Transportation Foxx Highlight Importance of Infrastructure Investments at Port of Seattle

Press Release

Yesterday, Chairman Murray and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx joined with port officials at the Port of Seattle to discuss the $20 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant the Port has received from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In remarks at the Port, Murray highlighted the importance of infrastructure investments, which spark growth, innovation, and jobs, and are vital to America's competitiveness in the 21st century economy. Murray created the TIGER program in 2009 to fund critical infrastructure investments in Washington state and across the county, and has fought to fund the program every year since.

Later that day, Senator Murray and Secretary Foxx toured the Washington state ferry system.

Key Excerpts from Senator Murray's remarks:

"…Families and businesses across the country want their elected officials to work together to solve problems--and that is especially true when it comes to investments in transportation infrastructure. Every business -- large and small - depends on it… Every family uses it and expects it to work. And there is no part of our economy, or our daily lives--that infrastructure does not touch."

"World-class, state of the art, infrastructure boosts economic growth, sparks innovation, and creates jobs. But, as a country-- we are simply falling behind when it comes to making these critical investments--and I think that's absolutely wrong."

"That is why I was proud to work with Democrats and Republicans last year on a bipartisan budget deal that prevented another job-killing government shutdown, put a stop to the budget battles that were hurting businesses and the economy, and rolled back those devastating automatic budget cuts that were slashing investments in education, research, innovation--and infrastructure."

"And it's why I created the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery -- or TIGER -- program back in 2009. And why I have fought to fund the TIGER program every year--no matter how tough the budget climate is. The TIGER program provides targeted investments in infrastructure projects that create jobs now and lay down a strong foundation for long-term economic growth."

"Here in Washington state, we know how important our ports are for jobs and economic growth not just in our state--but all across the country too. They help our economy operate efficiently. They support millions of American jobs. They help us move goods across the country and around the world. And we need to make sure that as demand continues to grow and as our economy continues to improve--our ports are able to keep up."

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