The International Warehouse Logistics Association has declared its strong support for legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would create a multi-year program to rebuild the country's vital surface transportation infrastructure. "Americans need this legislation to get back to work," said IWLA president and CEO Joel Anderson. "Passage translates into infrastructure improvements and into improved reliability and safety of our transport network." Anderson relayed the IWLA position in a letter to Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman, and Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (D-W.Va.), ranking member, of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
The legislation, called the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012 (H.R. 7) - introduced Jan. 31, aims to create a five-year, $260bn program to provide a regular and dependable source of funds for states to invest in highway and other transportation projects.
"Efficient and reliable freight movement is and will continue to be the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. Jobs and commerce depend on an integrated network of freight infrastructure to support trucking, freight rail transportation, port activity, and intermodal transfers," Anderson wrote. He also pointed out that the bill will create and sustain millions of jobs at a time when the U.S. economy needs it most.
