Page 19: of Marine News Magazine (January 2026)

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Insights

Inland Infrastructure contracts and alternative delivery methods that provide con- stop-gap funding measure to extend funding beyond the siderable opportunity to improve execution and reduce risks. current January 30 deadline. It also increases the likelihood

We also call upon Congress to pass the FY26 Energy of another full-year Continuing Resolution. For the inland & Water Development (E&WD) appropriations bill that waterways, if a full-year CR is enacted and direction to funds the Corps of Engineers. At press time, things are fund earmarks in the base appropriations bills is not in- looking positive with the House releasing text for a three- cluded, OMB could dictate where funding will go for fed- bill funding package that includes E&WD, immediately eral programs, including the Corps’ Civil Works program, upon their return from the holiday recess. The minibus which is not ideal for the navigation construction program. legislation, if passed, will provide nearly $400 million for With the start of the new year comes opportunity for inland navigation construction- funding critical in keeping change and improvement, and that must begin now for the ongoing modernization projects on schedule and within Nation’s inland waterways. WCI intends to push forward budget. Currently, the federal government is operating un- harder than ever for a better future for our Nation’s towboat der a Continuing Resolution (CR) for FY26 funding that operators and shippers of agriculture and energy products, lasts through January 30, 2026. If the House and Senate steel, aggregate materials, and inputs to manufacturing. fail to pass the minibus, Congress will need to pass another Learn more at https://waterwayscouncil.org/ www.marinelink.com MN 19|