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Obama Administration Aids Economy With Accelerated Port Investments

WASHINGTON, DC—Edward Wytkind, president of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, (TTD) issued this statement following President Obama’s acceleration of several important infrastructure projects, including five major U.S. ports:

“President Obama’s decision to expedite infrastructure projects at five major seaports is good news for Americans still looking for work and for a transportation network sorely in need of repair and modernization. President Obama understands the critical role that ports and maritime commerce play in our economy and the importance of efficient public support for this sector of our transportation system.

“Over 13 million Americans work in port-related jobs and port activity accounts for more than $3.15 trillion of our GDP. This economic activity is threatened if maritime vessels can’t move through our navigational channels or if intermodal connections to rail yards and roadways are not improved, as called for in today’s announcement.

“I can’t help but note that today’s decision to invest in transportation improvements that will directly support private businesses runs counter to the position staked out by Mr. Romney who seems to believe that businesses just move goods and people by themselves. One has to wonder if the Republican candidate for President will oppose this common-sense investment just to appeal to the anti-government zealots he courts.”

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The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, represents 32 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, motor carrier, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit us at ttd.org or on Facebook and Twitter.

Attached Document or File This Press Release on TTD Letterhead