Bill targets fairer share of infrastructure funds for regional ports

A bipartisan group of U.S. House members earlier this month introduced the Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act, a bill designed to strengthen the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) by ensuring federal investments are distributed more evenly across regional port systems nationwide. 

Currently, inland and Great Lakes ports receive a disproportionately small share of federal support, limiting their ability to modernize infrastructure, expand capacity and remain competitive, according to a press release issued by the congressmen. By rebalancing how funds are awarded, the bill helps unlock the full economic and national security potential of ports across the interior, strengthening U.S. supply chain resilience and global competitiveness, they said.

The bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-Ohio), Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Frank Mrvan (D-Ind.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.).

U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate.

The PIDP provides critical investments for port infrastructure and intermodal improvements. Historically, a disproportionate share of this funding has gone to large, coastal or high-volume ports, leaving smaller or inland facilities with limited access to these federal resources, the lawmakers said.

"The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act guarantees that ports across the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast and inland waterways can compete for critical upgrades that keep goods moving, reduce bottlenecks and strengthen America’s strategic and economic competitiveness," said Joyce.