The gist

• Requires the Army Corps of Engineers to consult local sponsors and prioritize commercial waterways when scheduling maintenance dredging contracts.

Who wins, who loses

• Wins: port operators, shipping companies, coastal communities relying on commercial harbors, and local government sponsors.
• Loses: recreational boaters and marinas whose channels get pushed lower on the dredging priority list.

What it does

• Requires the Secretary of the Army to consult stakeholders before setting dredging contract scope and timelines.
• Prioritizes dredging for commerce, navigation, emergencies, and environmental windows over recreation.
• Mandates a 3-business-day notice to local sponsors when contract timelines change.
• Requires the Army to share project capability numbers with local sponsors on request.

Why should I care?

Supporters say clogged ports raise shipping costs that hit grocery and gas prices teens see every week. Critics argue deprioritizing recreational waterways hurts fishing towns and tourism jobs. An alternative being debated is fully funding both categories instead of ranking them. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.