Congresswoman Barragan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 30, 2021

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh to the Port of Los Angeles to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to ease supply chain disruptions and speed the nation’s economic recovery through investments in workforce development.

“Now that Congress passed the Biden-Harris Administration’s Infrastructure and Jobs Act and it’s been signed into law, we’re going to see historic investments to modernize our ports, invest in rail and restore our ability to move goods and supplies as quickly as possible,” Congresswoman Barragán said.  “Now, we’ve got to get the Build Back Better Agenda across the finish line. It includes $3.5 billion in investments in zero-emission technology to reduce air pollution at ports, based off my Climate Smart Ports Act. Build Back Better also has $20 billion for workforce development programs that will help local people get good jobs at good wages here at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.”

Secretary Walsh, Congresswoman Barragan and Mayor Garcia were briefed by Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero, labor leaders and other stakeholders on the challenges the ports are currently facing.

“This administration’s commitment to ports and supply chains goes far beyond the holidays. Standing with local officials, unions, employers, and port leadership today, we are focused not only on solving immediate issues—we are also building strategies for long-term resilience,” Secretary Walsh said.

“President Biden’s economic plan has produced a historic recovery. We’ve seen at least 5.6 million jobs return, and new unemployment claims are at their lowest level in 50 years,” Secretary Walsh added. “This is a worker-centered recovery, and we are focused on what working families need. So, when the pandemic caused supply chain issues, this administration moved quickly and boldly to resolve them.”

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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington. She serves as chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Border Security.