Congress debates Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund spending allocation amid $9B unspent balance

Congress is considering H.R. 7575 and S. 3591 to redirect $9 billion in accumulated Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund reserves, funded by a $1.25-per-$1,000 tariff on waterborne cargo imports. Proposed changes would increase minimum allocations to smaller and Great Lakes ports, expand eligible uses at donor ports, and modify budget scoring to facilitate spending down the reserve.