The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) expressed their support on Oct. 26 for the launch of the Congressional Freight Caucus. The group is comprised of more than 60 public and private organizations dedicated to increasing federal investment in America’s intermodal freight infrastructure.
Congressmen Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) formed the Caucus to focus attention on the necessity to develop and refine policies aimed at improving the nation’s freight system. It will examine freight’s many aspects, calling upon industry experts who build and maintain infrastructure, invest in infrastructure, own cargo traveling the freight network, and those responsible for transporting goods.
“Formation of the Congressional Freight Caucus comes at a critical time, as we must prepare for the anticipated freight volume increases across our multimodal network,"said Elaine Nessle, executive director of CAGTC. "I applaud Congressmen Reichert and Nadler for their bipartisan leadership and sustained efforts to ensure freight’s voice is heard on Capitol Hill."
Earlier in the week Rep. Nadler, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, gave his support for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization & Reform Act of 2015 (HR 3763). While expressing concerns over critically low funding levels, including a backlog of $86 billion needed for repairs to public transit, and calling on Congress to actually meet the current and future needs of our infrastructure system, Rep. Nadler applauded the significant progress made on key transportation issues. He noted that progress includes major advancements to improve our nation’s freight with the creation of the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects program, providing guaranteed funding for critical regional and national freight projects.
“The timing of a new freight caucus could not be better to shine a spotlight on the need for freight policy and funding as we gear up for floor debate on a surface transportation bill,” stated Commissioner John Creighton, Northwest Seaport Alliance managing member.
