Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

S.1238 - Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act (119th Congress)

Summary

S.1238, the "Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act," aims to amend Title 46 of the United States Code to ensure equitable geographic distribution of projects selected through the Port Infrastructure Development Program. The bill specifically targets improvements to port and intermodal infrastructure, as well as assistance for small inland river and coastal ports and terminals. It mandates that project selection consider geographic distribution among regions of the United States.

Expected Effects

The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be a change in how the Port Infrastructure Development Program allocates funds. It would likely lead to a broader distribution of funding across different regions of the country. This could result in more projects being funded in areas that might have been previously overlooked.

Potential Benefits

  • Wider Distribution of Resources: Ensures that port infrastructure projects are more evenly distributed across the United States, benefiting a larger number of communities.
  • Support for Smaller Ports: Provides targeted assistance to small inland river and coastal ports and terminals, which may have been previously disadvantaged in the grant application process.
  • Economic Development in Underserved Areas: Could stimulate economic growth in regions that have not traditionally received significant port infrastructure funding.
  • Improved Infrastructure Resilience: By investing in a wider range of ports, the nation's overall infrastructure becomes more resilient to disruptions.
  • Reduced Regional Disparities: Aims to reduce economic disparities between different regions of the country by providing more equitable access to infrastructure funding.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for Less Efficient Allocation: Focusing on geographic distribution could lead to funding projects that are not the most economically viable or strategically important.
  • Increased Bureaucracy: Implementing and monitoring the geographic distribution requirement could add complexity and administrative burden to the grant application process.
  • Possible Delays: Ensuring equitable distribution could slow down the project selection process, delaying needed infrastructure improvements.
  • Risk of Political Influence: The emphasis on geographic distribution could make project selection more susceptible to political considerations.
  • Unintended Consequences: The specific definition of "equitable geographic distribution" may be ambiguous and lead to unintended or undesirable outcomes.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the several states. By improving port infrastructure, the bill aims to facilitate interstate and international trade, which falls under the purview of the Commerce Clause. Additionally, the bill's focus on equitable geographic distribution could be seen as an attempt to promote the general welfare, as mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).