Maddie+&+Tori

Plan text: The United States federal government should increase expedited funding for waterway and port dredging in the United States.

1AC:


 * Squo Lacking:**

U.S. ports are not ready to handle super-sized tankers coming as a result of Panama canal expansion completion in 2014. Abbott, 11


 * Economic Competitiveness:**

Panama Canal expansion will disrupt American trade routes - Other nations are investing in port deepening to accommodate tankers, but the United States is not increasing its investment in its ports.
Bridges, 11

Lack of U.S. adaptation will devastate trade and the economic competitiveness

Weakley, 8

First is international trade: it’s key to the economy and accounts for 27% of GDP

Kiefer et al., 2k

Economic collapse now causes a nuclear World War III Hamer, 10

American economic leadership prevents mercantilism – solves protectionism

Posen, 9

Protectionism leads to global nuclear war Panzner, 8

Port dredging is key to international trade and competitiveness – increased exports, trade, manufacturing jobs, and trillions in revenue Nagle, 11


 * Steel:**

Clogged waterways are killing the steel industry competitiveness – decreases shipping capabilities. Dredging will open waterways allow tons of extra steel to be shipped. Petry, 12

First, the steel industry key to military tech-development

AISI, 7

Military R&D key to heg Paarlberg, 4

A robust steel industry key to strong infrastructure AISI, 6

Good infrastructure is key to the economy AISI, 6

Econ collapse tanks heg FPRI, 9

Heg is sustainable and prevents conflict Brown et al. 8

Retrenchment triggers great power wars Zhang & Shi, 11


 * Agriculture:**

U.S. agricultural competitiveness decreasing now. Exports are critical to maintain competitiveness. Kagochi, 2007

US agricultural competitiveness key to prevent starvation, war, fanaticism, proliferation, and terrorism Lugar, 4

Starvation triggers genocidal war—comparatively worse than nuclear war Trudell 5

Dredging critical to maintain US agricultural competitiveness. IWR 6/20


 * Solvency:**

Federal action is necessary – several reasons:

First, coordinated and adequate funding requires federal action on port dredging. Calhoun, 11

USACE regulation and permits require federal oversight. IWR 6/20

Ports bipart - RAMP Act proves Gibbs 11

Seaports key to 13 million jobs-boosts economic competitiveness Western Farm Press 11

Seaport infrastructure improvement enhances trading abilities-larger vessels USACE, 12

Dredging necessary for competitiveness-prevents route shifts USACE, 12