Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL
Chicago, IL. – Today, Representatives Robin Kelly (IL-02), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Randy Weber (TX-14), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Erin Houchin (IN-09) led the bipartisan introduction of the Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act. This legislation strengthens 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. By rebalancing how funds are awarded, the bill helps unlock the full economic and national security potential of ports across the interior, strengthening America’s supply chain resilience and global competitiveness. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate.
“Illinois’ ports, including the Illinois International Port District in Chicago, are vital to our agricultural and manufacturing supply chains,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “This bill would ensure the Great Lakes and inland ports receive a fair share of federal investment so they can operate safely, efficiently, and drive economic growth in the Second District and across Illinois.”
“Our ports are the front doors of American trade. This bill ensures smart federal investments in local jobs, improves supply chains, and enhances our economic security,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “In my region that means shoring up our Great Lakes ports to allow goods commodities to flow up through the Soo Locks and on to Europe through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining this effort to invest in economic growth and improve waterborne shipping to the world.”
“Inland ports are the backbone of the nation’s supply chain. When they fall behind, America falls behind, and our economic security and national security are put at risk,” said Congressman Joyce. “Federal port infrastructure dollars can’t just flow to major coastal hubs. 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. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Kennedy and grateful for his continued advocacy on behalf of the Great Lakes.”
“The Great Lakes are a way of life for us in Michigan and across the Heartland. They drive and support industries that create jobs and sustain communities across the country,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Our Great Lakes ports are just as essential to the U.S. as coastal ports and deserve equal federal investment. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill to ensure the Great Lakes port system is fairly considered for maintenance and modernization that will support competitiveness and economic security.”
“Our ports are the backbone of our regional economy and serve as a critical link in keeping America’s supply chains moving,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “In the Great Lakes region these ports support good-paying jobs and strengthen our national security. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act ensures that federal infrastructure dollars are distributed fairly, so inland ports and surrounding communities can reap the economic benefits from modernized and resilient infrastructure.”
“It would be a detriment to both our national security and our economy to overlook the Great Lakes when it comes to port infrastructure funding decisions,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Our nation’s coastal ports are important, but don’t operate in a vacuum. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act ensures industry and commerce while enhancing security, growing the economy, supporting job creation, and lowering costs.”
“Thank you to Rep. Joyce and my Congressional colleagues for introducing this legislation to ensure that all of our ports receive their fair share of federal funding for infrastructure investments,” said Congressman Mrvan. “Efficient and well-functioning ports are critical to the economic success of working families and communities throughout our nation, including in Northwest Indiana, and I look forward to continuing to advance this important legislation.”
“Federal port dollars shouldn’t be funneled to the same handful of coastal ports while inland and Gulf Coast ports that move America’s energy, agriculture, and manufactured goods are left behind,” said Congressman Weber. “The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act simply requires the Department of Transportation to consider equitable geographic distribution, ensuring every port has a fair shot and that our national supply chain is stronger, more resilient, and more secure.”
“I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation to ensure ports along Lake Ontario receive fair consideration in federal infrastructure funding,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “These ports are critical to Upstate New York’s economy and support manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and good paying jobs across NY-24. This bill is a smart investment in economic resilience, efficiency, and national security.”
“Communities across Indiana depend on efficient freight networks to move the agriculture and manufacturing goods that power our economy,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “When inland ports, like our own on the Ohio River, are overlooked for federal investment, it can create delays in shipping that affect businesses and workers. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act is a practical solution that ensures every region gets a fair shot at critical funding to keep our supply chain moving.”
“As a leading advocate for Ohio and the Great Lakes, Congressman Joyce has been instrumental in creating good-paying American jobs and strengthening our communities,” said Brian Oszakiewski, Executive Director of the American Great Lakes Ports Association. “This legislation helps ensure the Heartland receives its fair share of federal investment. We are grateful for Congressman Joyce’s leadership and thank his congressional colleagues for their support of balanced, long-term funding for critical port infrastructure across the Great Lakes region.”
“This bill is an important step to ensure that the world’s longest deep draft commercial waterway – the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System – receives its fair share of funding to continue improving the safety and reliability of our region’s ports,” said Erika Jensen, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission.
Summary:
This bill would amend the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to ensure that federal port improvement funds are awarded more evenly across different regions of the country. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to consider geographic distribution when selecting projects for both the Port and Intermodal Improvement Program and for assistance targeted to inland and coastal ports and terminals. The legislation explicitly includes inland ports, meaning ports on the Great Lakes, along inland waterways, and other interior ports would be eligible for funding under the program and considered in the geographic distribution requirements. In practice, the bill ensures that federal investments are not concentrated in only a few regions and that ports of all sizes and locations have a fair chance to compete for funding.
Endorsing Organizations: Great Lakes Commission and the American Great Lakes Ports Association.
Background:
The Port Infrastructure Development Program (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. For example, since Fiscal Year 2019, only 2 percent of Port Infrastructure Development Program funding has gone to the Great Lakes region, compared with 38 percent to West Coast ports and 34 percent to East Coast ports. As freight movement grows increasingly interconnected, equitable investment in all types of ports is essential for improving overall logistics efficiency, economic development, and national resilience.
Inland ports support manufacturing supply chains, serve hundreds of millions of people, and play a critical role in national security by transporting essential materials such as iron ore, cement, and aggregates. Since America’s beginning, inland waterways have provided a resilient alternative to exposed coastal shipping routes, easier to monitor and protect from physical or cyber threats. During World War II, these waterways were vital, enabling the transport of troops, materials, and supplies while avoiding German attacks on major ports. Today, inland ports remain a secure and reliable backbone of the nation’s logistics network, ensuring critical materials reach where they’re needed most to support both military readiness and domestic manufacturing.
Investing in these ports would strengthen national supply chains, improve cost efficiency, reduce road congestion and emissions, and enhance the resilience and reliability of freight movement. Modernization efforts, including dredging, dock improvements, and intermodal connections, ensure that these ports can accommodate larger vessels, handle seasonal peaks, and maintain timely delivery of goods. Supporting inland port systems isn’t about local favoritism; it’s about recognizing that inland infrastructure is just as critical as our coastal gateways.