Washington Waves
May 23, 2025
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is soliciting nominations for its U.S. Department of Transportation Advisory Board to provide strategic vision and high-level guidance to modernize and enhance the nation’s transportation systems.
Nominations must be received by June 2 with a reference to Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0038. Nominations may be submitted electronically via www.regulations.gov, by mail at Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or by hand delivery at DOT, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, D.C.
“With the American Society of Civil Engineers estimating that over $4 trillion is needed to improve U.S. infrastructure from a D rating to a B, the board’s expertise will be instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that drive safety, efficiency, resiliency and long-term progress,” DOT stated in the announcement.
The solicitation for nominations stated the Department of Transportation would like a balanced membership that appropriately represents the varied interests of transportation stakeholders, including industry leaders and experts from the aviation, logistics, infrastructure, construction, finance and legal affairs sectors. For additional information, email DOTAdvisoryBoard@dot.gov or call 202-366-2278.
Corps Work Plan
Democrats used a hearing on the fiscal year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to accuse the Trump administration of politicizing funding decisions included in the agency’s work plan released days earlier. They based their criticism on an analysis that shows more than $250 million has been shifted away from Democratic-led states to Republican-led states.
“I truly condemn the extreme politicization of critical Army Corps’ construction funding decisions,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) challenged Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Robyn Colosimo to explain how projects in his state, one of the hardest hit, failed to make the cut.
“They had to make trade-offs that I was not privy to,” Colosimo said. “I don’t believe they were partisan, but that’s their decision.”
In his opening remarks, Subcommittee Chairman Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) pointed out that the hearing was scheduled with the expectation the full budget would be available.
“We cannot do our work without those details,” Fleischmann said.
In her testimony, Colosimo said the full budget would be released in the coming weeks.
‘Big Beautiful Bill’
House Republicans by one vote approved their sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill” that will extend tax cuts passed during President Donald Trump’s first term, along with major changes in other programs.
Passed by a vote of 215-214-1 in an early morning vote, H.R. 1 now goes to the Senate, where the bill’s more contentious provisions could trigger another round of intense debate and possible revisions.
Commandant Nomination
Trump will nominate Adm. Kevin Lunday to serve as the 28th commandant of the Coast Guard. Lunday has been acting commandant since Adm. Linda Fagan was removed from the position. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the nomination during her commencement address at the Coast Guard Academy.
Noem also spoke of Force Design 2028, which the Coast Guard says will reshape how it functions and operates to ensure decisive advantage over adversaries.
“Now is the time for fundamental change,” Lunday said. “Secretary Noem has said that we must reinvigorate the Coast Guard or risk strategic failure. I am honored to lead our Coast Guard men and women in this historic effort to renew the service for the future.”
FMC Investigation
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) announced a non-adjudicatory investigation to examine whether the vessel flagging laws, regulations or practices of certain foreign governments create unfavorable shipping conditions in the foreign trade of the United States.
According to the FMC, its investigation commences with a 90-day public comment period, with comments due by August 20.
The FMC said it is seeking examples of unfavorable flagging laws, regulations and practices that endanger the efficiency and reliability of the ocean shipping supply chain, adding it is particularly interested in receiving comments from those with expertise or experience in vessel operations, international trade, international law and national security.
Commenters also may identify actions that high-quality registries can take to lower costs and compliance burdens so long as they do not result in diluting standards, the FMC stated.
Coast Guard Safety Zones
The Coast Guard is seeking comments on its proposal to establish two permanent safety zones in navigable waters of South Bay, Texas, and the Gulf to provide protections from potential hazards created by commercial spaceflight activities.
Comments and related material, which must be received by June 16, should be identified by Docket No.USCG-2025-0332 and may be submitted at www.regulations.gov.
“This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zones during scheduled launches, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative,” the Coast Guard stated.
For additional information, contact Lt. Timothy Cardenas at 361-939-5130 or Timothy.J.Cardenas@uscg.mil.
NSAC Meeting
The National Shipper Advisory Committee (NSAC) is scheduled to meet in person June 4 in Garden City, Ga., to discuss the ocean freight delivery system relevant to the Federal Maritime Commission. The meeting will be open to the public and will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern at the Georgia Port Authority, 2 Main St., Garden City, GA 31408. Comments can be submitted at NSAC@fmc.gov. For additional information or to submit comments, contact Mark Braganca at 202-523-5725 or mbraganca@fmc.gov.
Willamette Valley Projects
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is inviting comments on its intention to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to analyze an alternative that would cease hydropower operations at Corps-owned and -operated Willamette Valley projects. The SEIS addresses a directive in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act, according to the Corps.
Comments, which must be submitted by June 6, may be sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, P.O. Box 2946, Attn: CENWP-PME-E, Portland, OR 97208-2946.
In addition to requests to be added to the mailing list, comments also can be emailed to willamette.eis@usace.army.mil. For additional information, contact Garrett Dorsey at 541-525-4417.
