Prickly Politics

摘要

Billions in Limbo The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) was established in 1986 to fund the operation and maintenance of ports and harbors and is funded by the Harbor Maintenance Tax. 1. More than $9 billion sits in the fund awaiting appropriation by Congress for the intended purpose of maintaining the nation's harbors and navigation channels. 2. The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, passed last June, stipulates that, within a 10-year window, 100 percent of the HMTF be used as intended. 3. The pace and process for freeing up the funds conflict with other projects executed by the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as limitations on Congress regarding discretionary spending and budget caps.