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!

T&I Committee Hosts Bipartisan Virtual Forum on the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Maritime Transportation

Washington, DC — House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Members participated in a virtual forum to hear from Maritime Administrator Admiral Mark H. Buzby (Ret.) about the maritime industry’s response…
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March 6, 2020 Legislative Update

Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation to Hold Hearing on Worldwide Presence of the Coast Guard The House T&I Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation will hold a…
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Introduction of Bill to Overhaul Management of Missouri River System Water Projects

WASHINGTON ­– Today, U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) introduced new legislation to overhaul the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) process for managing water resource projects along the lower Missouri…
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WRDA 2020 Members’ Day Hearing

The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment will hold a Members’ Day Hearing to examine Members’ priorities in development of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). The hearing,…
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House T&I: WRDA 2020 Hearing

January 3, 2020: House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee The Subcommittee of Water Resources and Environment, House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing for “Proposals for a Water Resources…
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Dear Congress: We Matter Too

Dear Congress, A few words from the inland ports and terminals, and the smaller coastal ports, all of whom serve the 12,000 miles of navigable waterways of the United States.…
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November 19, 2019: Washington Update

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee: On Monday, November 18th, House lawmakers included a provision that would prevent a $7.6 billion cut to Federal highway funding, known as a rescission, in…
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Inland Port and Terminal Grant Program

Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, Inc. has recently proposed an inland port and terminal grant program to provide assistance for landside infrastructure investments. Highlights of the program include: • For…
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From the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee:

T&I – Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation will convene a hearing on “Short Sea Shipping: Rebuilding America’s Maritime Industry” on June 19th. Witnesses: Admiral Buzby (MARAD Administrator) Larry…
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From the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled, “FAST Act Reauthorization: Transportation and Safety Issues,” at 10:00 a.m. on…
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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.