Washington Waves: Nov. 7, 2025 Waterway News From D.C.
The government shutdown entered the record books as the longest in U.S. history with, at least initially, no end in sight.
President Donald Trump met with Republican senators at the White House and doubled down on his call to get rid of the filibuster rule that requires a 60-vote majority in the Senate on most significant actions.
“If you don’t terminate the filibuster, we won’t pass any legislation,” Trump said.
Republican senators appear to be divided on triggering what is referred to as the “nuclear option.”
The top Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York, demanded a meeting with Trump and Republican leaders to negotiate an end to the shutdown and address health care issues.
Meanwhile, pressures continued to mount for those impacted directly by the shutdown as it entered its second month.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced air traffic capacity will be cut 10 percent at 40 airports beginning Friday morning, citing air traffic controllers who are working without pay.
Corps Project Funding Pause
Congressional Democrats are challenging the Trump administration’s action to pause $11 billion in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects funded by Congress in blue states.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), ranking member of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, led Democrats on the key panel to warn the administration’s “partisan retaliation” could derail the next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).
They called on Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle to defend the Corps against efforts to weaponize its important work.
Their letter followed one sent to Telle and Lt. Gen. William Graham Jr., chief of Engineers and commanding general of the Corps, by Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee requesting details on the targeted Corps projects.
“This administration’s comfort for halting projects approved by Congress is an aggressive power grab that should concern every American, and will increase project costs, threaten infrastructure jobs and harm communities across the country,” the lawmakers wrote.
The National Waterways Conference (NWC) also shared concerns over the long-term impact of the move by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
“The OMB announcement has generated concern among non-federal sponsors who share the cost of many Corps projects,” the NMC stated.
“Because these projects are already authorized and appropriated, a prolonged pause could leave state and local partners uncertain about the status of funds they have already matched or committed.”
The NWC added that uncertainty could affect confidence in future WRDAs and appropriations commitments.
Coast Guard Document Processing
Citing the absence of enacted appropriations, the Coast Guard said it is required to execute an orderly suspension of certain operations and activities.
The following were included in the guidance provided to assist vessel owners, operators and other affected parties.
Certificates of Documentation: Certificates of Documentation (CODs) for commercial vessels will not be processed, except for those COD requests for initial issuance (such as re-flag or new construction) necessary to meet national defense requirements (such as vessels enrolled in the Maritime Security Program or those actively carrying Department of Defense cargo). Vessel owners and operators should continue to submit renewal applications to the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) prior to the expiration of the COD. In such cases, the following additional guidance is provided:
Vessel owners and operators with a COD that expired after October 1 may continue to operate domestically on the previously issued trade endorsements provided a renewal application has been submitted to the NVDC. Vessel owners should be prepared to present evidence to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI) or the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) that a renewal application was submitted. There will be no written dispensation granted for U.S. flag vessels operating on domestic voyages only.
New Construction/Initial Certification (All Trade Endorsements):
In accordance with the Marine Safety Manual, Vol. II, an initial Certificate of Inspection may be completed before the COD is issued, provided the NVDC has received the application for documentation. Vessel representatives should be prepared to present evidence that the application was submitted to the NVDC. There will be no written dispensation granted for U.S. flag vessels operating on domestic voyages only.
Engaged on International Voyage (Registry Endorsement):
Vessel owners and operators with a COD that expired after October 1 and actively engage in international voyages necessary to meet national defense requirements (such as vessels enrolled in the Maritime Security Program or those vessels actively carrying Department of Defense cargo) subject to Port State Control, may request a dispensation from CG-CVC to allow for continued operation. Dispensation requests related to CODs should be sent to FlagStateControl@uscg.mil and include objective evidence that a renewal application has been submitted to the NVDC.
Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Endorsements: Mariners operating on STCW endorsements that expired on or after October 1 may continue to sail on their endorsements, provided that a renewal application has been submitted to the NMC and the company has applied to the Coast Guard for dispensation in accordance with STCW Article VIII and the guidance provided on the NMC website. STCW dispensations that are approved will expire March 31. Mariners shall carry a copy of their dispensation letter, a copy of the National Maritime Center‘s bulleton STCW Mitigation Efforts – Dispensations and the expired MMC.
Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Medical Certificates: Mariners holding STCW medical certificates that expired on or after October 1 may continue to work under the certificate in accordance with the standards of STCW Regulation I/9.
A list of cognizant OCMI/COTP is available on the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance webpage.
