ARLINGTON, Va., July 15, 2026 — The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today welcomed unanimous approval of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, calling the action an important step toward strengthening the nation’s inland waterways system and supporting the long-term competitiveness of U.S. agriculture.

NGFA thanked Committee Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and members of the committee for advancing the bipartisan legislation.

“America’s inland waterways are a cornerstone of the agricultural supply chain, connecting producers to domestic customers and export markets around the world,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “The committee’s bipartisan action reinforces Congress’s longstanding commitment to investing in the infrastructure that keeps U.S. agriculture competitive while providing the certainty needed to plan and deliver critical modernization projects.”

The nation’s grain and feed industry depends on a safe, reliable transportation system that includes waterways, railroads and highways. Each year, approximately 80 million tons of grain and oilseeds move by barge, complementing the hundreds of millions of tons transported by truck and rail. Continued investment in locks, dams, and navigation infrastructure helps ensure agricultural products move efficiently, lowers transportation costs, and strengthens the reliability of the entire supply chain.

NGFA supports provisions in the legislation that advance the maintenance and modernization of the inland waterway system, reduce delays caused by aging infrastructure, and improve the efficiency of freight movement.

“With strong bipartisan support in both chambers, Congress has an opportunity to deliver another WRDA bill that strengthens America’s infrastructure and economy,” Seyfert said. “NGFA looks forward to working with lawmakers to advance this legislation and ensure a final bipartisan WRDA bill reaches the President’s desk this year.”

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