Ga. Gov Deal pledges support for SC port project

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says states with ports are now going to have to work together to get federal money for harbor projects.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Wednesday reiterated support for deepening the Charleston Harbor. South Carolina’s approval last week of deepening the Savannah River helping Georgia’s ports brought sharp criticism from some in South Carolina.

But Graham told maritime leaders in Charleston on Tuesday night that, without federal earmarks, Congress is trying to find a way to allocate money for infrastructure like ports.

He said at the federal level, states with ports are either going to rise together or die together.

Graham says states need to work together where they can but resolve their differences in a way that allows their federal lawmakers to do their jobs.