Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.

November 26, 2025

Setting aside customary bipartisanship, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) unveiled his own version of an Energy and Water spending bill for fiscal year (FY) 2026, an important measure for the waterways industry.

With its proposed 1.1 percent cut in spending, Kennedy said his measure so far is the only FY 2026 appropriations bill that actually reduces spending. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Kennedy rejected the overall topline he received from Senate appropriators, saying he could fund his bill’s vital programs with more “force and efficiency.”

Despite his go-it-alone approach, Kennedy expressed optimism for getting the bill across the finish line and ensuring robust funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the ranking member of both the full appropriations committee and the subcommittee chaired by Kennedy, expressed disappointment Senate Republicans released a partisan bill instead of working with Democrats. She also bemoaned the bill’s cuts to clean energy programs.

Still, Murray singled out provisions in the measure that she backs.

“The bill provides $3.5 billion from the Harbor Maintenance Trust fund to support our nation’s ports and harbors, which are so critical to our economy—and that includes nearly half a billion dollars for donor and energy ports, like the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma,” she said.

Murray also cited the nearly $10 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, including $190 million to get the Howard Hanson Dam Project in Washington state back on track, along with other projects defunded by the Trump administration.

Passing a full-year Energy and Water Development bill is critical in preventing the White House from having the power to unilaterally decide where taxpayer dollars go, Murray said.

“I am committed to reaching bipartisan agreement with my colleagues on this bill and the remainder of our funding bills—and to getting them signed into law,” she said.

Instead of being marked up by the Senate Appropriations Committee, Kennedy’s bill will need to be reconciled with the House version that narrowly passed that chamber by a vote of 214 to 213 in early September.

NEPA Reform

The House Natural Resources Committee advanced a bill that supporters say will reform the maritime infrastructure permitting process and restore the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to its original purpose.

Passed by 25 to 18, H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act goes to the full House for a vote.

“The committee’s bipartisan support for NEPA reform is a victory for government efficiency, economic growth, national security, transportation infrastructure and lower energy bills,” committee chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) said.

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) applauded the committee’s action.

“By sensibly streamlining the National Environmental Policy Act, this legislation will enable more efficient permitting and development of shipyards and other maritime infrastructure to keep vital commerce moving safely, while also preserving the environmental quality of the waterways on which we all depend,” AWO stated.

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the committee’s ranking member, warned the measure would gut NEPA’s core provisions and rig the rules to fast-track polluter projects. Huffman said the SPEED Act treats environmental reviews as a nuisance rather than a tool to prevent costly, harmful mistakes.

Coast Guard Advisory Committee

The U. S. Coast Guard announced it is resoliciting applications to serve on the National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee after an initial request on June 1 did not result in a sufficient number of applications, including those for three vacancies representing the commercial fishing industry and one representing the manufacturers of equipment.

“Therefore, we are resoliciting for applications for all 18 vacancies,” the Coast Guard stated. “We particularly encourage applications from representatives of the commercial fishing industry and equipment manufacturers.”

Applications should be sent to the Coast Guard via email to CGCVC3@uscg.mil by January 5. Emails should have the subject line “NCFSAC Vacancy Application.”

Established by a 2018 law, the committee provides advice to the secretary of Homeland Security on matters ranging from navigation safety and vessel design to personnel qualifications and training to marine insurance.

For additional information, contact Jonathan Wendland at 202-372-1245 or CGCVC3@uscg.mil.

DOT Advisory Board

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Advisory Board is scheduled to meet December 10 in Washington, D.C., to provide guidance to modernize the nation’s transportation system. Open to the public virtually, the meeting is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. Eastern.

DOT stated the exact start time is subject to change, adding www.transportation.gov/USDOTAdvisoryBoard should be monitored for up-to-date information and to access the link for the meeting’s livestream.

For additional information, contact Juli Huynh at 202-366-2278 or DOTAdvisoryBoard@dot.gov.

Members of the public also may use those contacts to submit written materials, questions and comments no later than December 3.

Seaport Manatee Security Zone

The Coast Guard issued a final rule regarding the establishment of a permanent security zone in the vicinity of Seaport Manatee facilities and ship berths. Effective December 22, the rule is necessary to enhance safety and protect vessels, facilities and infrastructure from potential threats and allow for controlled access of authorized vessels and facility personnel within the security zone, the Coast Guard stated.

Documents can be viewed at www.regulations.gov under Docket No.USCG-2025-0223. For additional information, contact Lt. Ryan McNaughton at 571-608-7131 or Ryan.A.McNaughton@uscg.mil.

Coast Guard Announcement

The Coast Guard announced the cancellation of Marine Safety Center Technical Note (MTN) 02-05, “Transfer to U.S. Flag under the USCG Alternate Compliance Program,” to support its commitment to modernizing policy and reducing burdensome regulations.

According to the service, the guidance contained within MTN 02-05 has become antiquated due to the publication of updated and more efficient processes for vessel reflagging and certification.

The controlling guidance for these activities is now provided in Change 3 to Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 02-95, “Alternate Compliance Program,” and Change 2 to NVIC 01-13, “Inspection & Certification of Vessels under the Maritime Security Program,” the Coast Guard stated.

With the streamlined approaches, the Coast Guard added, these publications significantly improve the options available for enrolling vessels in the U.S. flag fleet.

For questions, contact the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center at msc@uscg.mil.