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!

May 24: Legislative Update

May 24, 2019: Legislative Updates From the House Appropriations Committee: Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Fiscal Year 2020 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development Funding Bill (THUD) On May 23rd, The House Appropriations Subcommittee…
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May 17, 2019: Legislative Updates

May 17, 2019: Legislative Updates From the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation: During Executive Session on May15: The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, passed S. 1439, Maritime…
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May 13, 2019: Legislative Updates

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 an executive session on Wednesday,…
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Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Federal Maritime Agencies

If you missed the below Subcommittee hearing on 04/08/2019 regarding Federal Maritime Agencies, you can access a recording of the hearing here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/4/federal-maritime-agencies-ensuring-a-safe-secure-and-competitive-future Additionally, you can view individual testimonies in…
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NWC News Alert: Hearings This Week

From our friends at National Waterways Conference News Alert – Hearings This Week April 8, 2019 House T&I Water Resources Subcommittee to Focus on HMTF and inland waterways needs The House…
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Action Needed: Inland Port and Terminal Grant Program

Action Needed: Inland Port and Terminal Grant Program   I would like to share with you some disturbing news I learned out of Washington – and then let you know…
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National Waterways Conference News Alert

News Alert January 21, 2019 In this issue House T&I Committee assignments WRDA 18 Implementation Legislative Summit registration reminder House T&I Committee Assignments Incoming Chairman of the House Committee on…
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Senate Bill to Equal Competition for Grant Funding

Senate Bill to Equal Competition for Grant Funding U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) has introduced a bill (S.3587) to improve the nation’s freight systems by making key investments in ports,…
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Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (WRDA 2018)

Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (WRDA 2018) The House version of WRDA 2018, H.R. 8 authorizes Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) civil works activities and builds on previous reform…
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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.