News Release
FOR RELEASE - May 2, 2025
Contact: Shawn Balcomb, press@aapa-ports.org

American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org

AAPA Reacts to President Trump’s FY 2026 Budget Request

Washington, D.C. — In response to the release of President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request (President Trump’s FY26 Budget) with significant increases in the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) and deep cuts to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the unified voice America’s ports, released the following statement:

“With robust proposed funding for competitive grants like PIDP and INFRA in President Trump’s FY26 Budget, this Administration deserves tremendous credit for prioritizing the interests and needs of our nation’s maritime industry,” stated AAPA President and CEO, Cary S. Davis. “Regrettably, the billion-dollar proposed cuts to the self-sustaining HMTF are incompatible with the Administration’s desire and aims to revitalize our nation’s maritime industry and power. A strong maritime industry requires deep harbors that are properly maintained. We call on Congress to continue releasing the unspent balance accumulated in the HMTF.”

The President’s Budget is a guidance and priorities document, which is the first step in Congress’ long appropriations process. The figures included are a signal for Congress but are not final. AAPA will commend the positive signals and push back against those that undermine the strength of America’s ports.

President Trump’s FY26 Budget includes a cut of over $1 billion from the HMTF. AAPA has aggressively advocated for full spending of the HMTF by:

• Submitting formal recommendations for the FY25 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Work Plan, urging full implementation of Section 102 of WRDA 2020; and
• Organizing a CEO sign-on letter co-signed by over 45 ports and maritime organizations, calling on OMB and USACE to allocate funds according to WRDA 2020.

The Harbor Maintenance Tax should be spent on harbor maintenance. AAPA will continue to hold Congress and the Administration accountable to promises made to fully unlock and use all available HMTF dollars.

President Trump’s FY26 Budget Request includes $550 million for PIDP, on top of the already appropriated $450 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. If enacted, PIDP would have $1 billion available in competitive grants in FY26. This would be the highest ever level of spending for the program. AAPA recently submitted our industry asks to Congress for the upcoming FY27-31 Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill and is encouraged to read that our request of $10.9 billion over five years for PIDP reflects the President’s high regard for the program. Immediately, there are several other actions the Federal Government can take to get this program flowing at its full capacity.

The Trump Administration should quickly finalize and share the FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity for PIDP so ports can finish applications and ideally avoid unnecessary delays in awards and grant obligations. Congress can then follow the President’s lead on prioritizing this key program by authorizing $750 million in the Maritime Administration Reauthorization bill and appropriating $550 million for PIDP in FY26.

Further highlights of President Trump’s FY26 Budget relevant to America’s ports include:

Positives:

• At the Department of Transportation:
• An additional $770 million, on top of the $1.5 billion provided by BIL, for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program.
• An additional $400 million, for $500 million total, for "Rail Safety and Infrastructure Grants” which we understand to be the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program.
• At the Department of Homeland Security DHS:
• An additional $43.8b for the Administration's priorities.
• At the Department of Defense:
• An additional $113.3b for Administration's priorities, including shipbuilding.

Negatives:

• At the Environmental Protection Agency:
• No funding for the Diesel Emission Reduction Act Program, which was appropriated $90 million in FY25.
• At the Department of Commerce
• More than $1.3 billion in cuts to key port programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

About AAPA:

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is the unified voice of port leaders and maritime industry partners across the Western Hemisphere who serve a vital role in job-creation, international competitiveness, and economic prosperity. Connecting small business owners, retailers, and manufacturers to the global marketplace, AAPA member organizations advocate for national policies and infrastructure investments in support of a resilient global supply chain and a positive impact on the way people live, work, travel, and engage in commerce.