56 FOGHORN cal stage and engage with him on ways to make our waterways safer. THE FERRIES ACT Investing in Critical Infrastructure Ferries are not a luxury. They are a ne- cessity for millions of daily commut- ers, rural residents, and island com- munities. For many, a ferry is the only practical connection to jobs, medical care, and economic opportunity. The Federal Enhancement and Revi- talization of Reliable Infrastructure for Essential Seaways Act—the FERRIES Act, H.R. 7774—provides the long- term, dedicated federal investment that public ferry systems need to modernize aging fleets, rebuild outdated termi- nals, and maintain reliable service. It drives demand for U.S.-built vessels and supports the shipyard workforce that constructs them. We asked lawmakers to cosponsor the FERRIES Act, and we made clear that fully funding fed- eral ferry programs through the FTA’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program, the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, and the FHWA Ferry Boat Program is not discretionary spending. It is transportation infrastructure. SMALL SHIPYARD GRANTS Necessary Support for Small American Shipyards We thanked Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin for her steadfast support of the Small Shipyard Grant Program. These grants, administered by MA- RAD, are not glamorous. They do not make headlines. But they keep the yards that build and repair our vessels competitive. They fund capital improvements, workforce training, and the efficiency upgrades that allow small regional shipyards to survive in an industry that demands ever-in- creasing technical capability. If we are serious about restoring American maritime dominance, then the Small Shipyard Grant Program is exactly where that work starts. U.S. ARMY CORPS DEFUNDING Politics on Our Waterways The proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are, frankly, indefensible. A 23 percent reduction to core civil works funding, with over $11 billion in existing projects paused or considered for cancellation are not in the best interests of the public at large. The Chicago Harbor Lock, for exam- ple, the second-busiest lock in the coun- try, has seen its funding slashed from $16.6 million to $298,000. That is not enough to keep the lights on, let alone maintain the machinery that moves commercial and passenger vessel traffic. While on the Hill we heard from members of both political parties that these cuts are unacceptable. No serious person believes that defund- ing the infrastructure our vessels and others depend on advances American maritime leadership. You cannot de- clare a commitment to maritime dom- inance and simultaneously starve the waterways that make commerce and passenger transportation possible. OUR WORK CONTINUES IN EARNEST PVA’s Congressional Fly-In was, in my opinion, a huge success. We built relationships, reinforced our asks, and laid the groundwork for a future Coast Guard hearing. We will contin- ue pressing Congress to fully fund the Coast Guard, advance the FERRIES Act, support small shipyards, and re- store Army Corps funding. Sincerely, Andrew Sargis PVA President, 2026 Continued from page 4: Letter from the President AT THE HELM PHOTO: ERIC CHRISTENSEN PVA members Andrew Sargis (left) and Louis Skrmetta (right) met with Congressman Mike Ezell (center) during the PVA Congressional Fly-In.
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