NRF Pushes Congress on Transportation Bill

February 2, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Delivery on February 3, 2012

The National Retail Federation urged the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to approve a major surface transportation reauthorization bill set for a vote Thursday.

NRF says the measure would help ease bottlenecks that are slowing down retail supply chains.

"Our neglected transportation system has created bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the supply chain that stifle U.S. companies' ability to grow and create jobs that are so badly needed in today's economy," NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said in a letter to the committee. "We urge Congress to act quickly to pass this important legislation before the current short-term extension ends in March.

"Retailers are among the nation's largest shippers, moving hundreds of billions of dollars worth of merchandise through the nation's ports, railroads and highways each year. The condition of the transportation system and its ability to handle cargo quickly and efficiently are vital to retailers' businesses."

French praised key reforms included in the bill, including provisions to streamline the project approval process, allowing accelerated project delivery; to increase the role of the private sector in national infrastructure investment and planning, and to provide states flexibility to use their funds on infrastructure priorities. NRF especially supports provisions calling for development of a national freight policy as well as state freight policies and to allow for improved trucking productivity.