Fischer Chairs Surface Transportation Hearing on U.S. Ports

Press Release

This morning, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) chaired a hearing of the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security entitled "Keeping Goods Moving." Senator Fischer released the following statement after the conclusion of this morning's hearing:

"Today's hearing was an important opportunity to examine the impact of service disruptions at our nation's ports and the impact on our transportation supply chain. Given the real economic consequences of the ongoing port congestion on the West Coast, I'm calling for a swift resolution to the current negotiations. That way, businesses in Nebraska and across the country can quickly return to business as usual."

This morning's hearing included testimony on behalf of two companies that have operations in Nebraska: Norman Bessac, Vice President of International Sales for Cargill and Katie Farmer Vice President of Consumer Products for BNSF. The subcommittee examined the role of ports in our nation's transportation network, particularly as it relates to port infrastructure and efficiency. The hearing also highlighted the impact of service disruptions happening at West Coast ports causing delayed imports and exports to and from Nebraska. The Wall Street Journal reported on this last week.

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