Legislation

IRPT advocates for the priorities of our members each year in Washington, D.C.

Want to join us for our 2026 Legislative Fly-in? We welcome all IRPT members to come with us. The more man power, the more meetings we can schedule. Click the button below to contact tessakandres@irpt.net for more information!

Administration Provides Infrastructure Law Guidebook

February 4, 2022 | Waterways Journal Washington, D.C.-The Biden administration released its first edition of a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law guidebook to provide a “one-stop shop” to help local and state…
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USACE Releases Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Spend Plan

January 19, 2022: Courtesy of National Waterways Conference and Waterways Council Inc. USACE releases IIJA (infrastructure) work spend plan In November 2021, President Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment…
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USACE Releases Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Spend Plan

Army Civil Works Studies, Projects and Programs to Be Accomplished with Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding   Published Jan. 19, 2022 | ASA CW’S OFFICE (full link below)   WASHINGTON –…
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Announces $12.6 Million in Grants for America’s Marine Highways 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Announces $12.6 Million in Grants for America‘s Marine Highways    Friday, December 10, 2021 (full link below)   WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded…
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Committee Members Introduce Legislation to Address Supply Chain Congestion

U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, John Thune, R-S.D., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and…
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Whitehouse Action Plan for America’s Ports and Waterways-What the Infrastructure Bill means for us

With the passing of Biden’s $1.2 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the Whitehouse released a Fact Sheet yesterday which summarizes Action Plan for America’s Ports and Waterways. The Biden administration has not…
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FACT SHEET: The Biden-⁠Harris Action Plan for America’s Ports and Waterways

  While American ports are a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, outdated infrastructure and the COVID-19 pandemic have strained their capacity and jeopardized global supply chains.  According to the 2021 Report…
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Wicker, Boozman Support FMC Efforts to Resolve Issues Facing U.S. Supply Chain

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and John Boozman, R-Ark., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and…
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Chair DeFazio Announces T&I Subcommittee Chairs and Democratic Committee Roster

Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the Committee’s Democratic roster for the 117th Congress, as well as the six subcommittee chairs and the full…
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Graves Welcomes Republican T&I Committee Members for the 117th Congress

January, 2021 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) welcomed the Republican Members recommended by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve…
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IRPT Members who offer Government Affairs Services:

Jones Walker LLP

Ice Miller LP

Matsuda & Associates LLC

Legislation matters because the inland river transportation system—vital to America’s economy, environment, and security—is often misunderstood and undervalued. Federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, and others carry out their missions according to the legislative direction set forth by Congress through acts like the Water Resources Development Act, the Farm Bill, and the Energy and Water Development Bill.

An integrated, comprehensive, and collaborative approach to inland river transportation legislation, development, and protection is critical to ensuring environmentally sound and efficient use of our nation’s waterways. A balanced approach that recognizes the importance of inland river transportation in promoting sustainable economic development and national security will strengthen our infrastructure and improve the quality of life for all Americans.

IRPT Legislative Committee

 

On February 15, 2021 Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals Board of Directors voted to adopt a new IRPT Legislative Committee.

The IRPT Legislative Committee brings together IRPT Members that have the like-minded vision and passion to make recommendations to Congress and Federal Agencies that focus on maritime transportation in order to strongly advocate for common legislative objectives that affect inland interests and to support the inland river transportation system.

Join us in Washington DC for the 2025 IRPT Spring Legislative Trip! Contact Aimee Andres at aandres@irpt.net for more information.

IRPT has successfully built relationships with many lawmakers in Washington with the passage of legislation to provide funding opportunities for inland and small coastal ports and terminals.

If you have served on IRPT’s Board of Directors, you are familiar with our handling of such events, in that IRPT will schedule all of the Congressional visits, prepare your itinerary (not including travel) and materials for dissemination and much more.

IRPT Members interested in serving on the legislative committee should email Aimee Andres at aandres@irpt.net.