Last month, Washington representative Dr. Kim Schrier met with the Biden Administration’s Port Envoy Jon Porcari to find out what can be done to alleviate the bottleneck at west coast ports. Schrier said the port issue first came to her attention when central Washington hay farmers expressed frustration with the inability to get their commodity shipped overseas. Now the problem is impacting not only farm exports, but the ability to import needed goods. During last month’s meeting Schrier offered her support of any measure that would help the farming community, and the American economy at large.

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Schrier asked the Envoy if the U.S. could develop a shipping industry, to stave off future problems.

“You know, why shouldn’t we get in on this?  Some of the answer there was that we don’t have the facilities to build the size ships that are needed today.  But I think that’s something, especially as we’re looking at infrastructure that we may need to consider so that we are not subject to the whims of international shipping companies.”

Schrier said while there is not silver bullet for this complex issue, she’s encouraged that the Biden Administration understands the many factors at play.

In addition, Schrier also is the cosponsor of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a bipartisan bill, which would be the first major update of federal regulations for the ocean shipping industry since 1988. She noted OSRA would give the Federal Maritime Commission more power to establish more reciprocal trade.

“And then prohibit ocean shipping carriers from either jacking up prices or declining opportunities to take our goods overseas.  It would allow them to stop this returning of empty containers, because that’s just acting in bad faith.  It is time, it is long past time for an ocean shipping reform act.”

Schrier acknowledged the process is slow, but she wants farmers to know she’s got their backs.

“That I am listening, I am taking this right up the chain, I have asked Secretary Vilsack about this very issue who then referred me to the special envoy, and I will continue to chase this down, and they should know they’ve got a friend in me and I am advocating on their behalf.  It’s been a rough couple of years.”




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