TRADE Two major trade agreements are currently being negotiated—the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. Both pacts are subject to approval by Congress via Trade Promotion Authority. GHP is supportive of both trade agreements and the granting of TPA.
TAX REFORM Comprehensive tax reform has significant implications for the business community. As Congress begins to set the stage for the possible consideration of a tax reform package in 2014, GHP will be working with key Members, particularly small to mid-sized businesses, to focus on this key issue.
ENERGY With the recent news that the United States has overtaken Russia as the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas, Houston is poised to build upon its impressive record of job creation and economic growth and to bring the country one step closer to energy independence. GHP is supportive of a regulatory framework that encourages responsible development of newly discovered energy resources, keeping industry taxes fair, and expedited permitting, especially as it relates to the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline.
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PORTS AND HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND GHP is working closely with our congressional delegation as a conference committee works to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the Water Resources Development Act. GHP supports increased allocations to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING GHP supports Congressional efforts to take a long term view of our transportation needs, provide adequate federal investments in the nation’s transportation system, encourage public/private partnerships, and to establish a robust freight program that enhances the movement of goods.
IMMIGRATION GHP supports immigration reform that is enacted in a fair, balanced, and sensible manner to achieve the following goals: secure our borders, create an efficient temporary worker visa program for non-professional workers, create a fast and reliable employment verification system, develop a viable legal process for the large numbers of immigrants without legal status, and support increased non-immigrant and immigrant visas for highly skilled individuals.
GREATER HOUSTON PA RTNERSHIP | 2013 ANNUAL REPORT