Congressman Robert Garcia Secures Committee Approval for $255 Million Port of Long Beach Channel Deepening Investment

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) has passed out of committee, which would support the Port of Long Beach channel deepening project. This $255 million investment, split between the federal government and the Port of Long Beach, will expand the port's main channel, strengthen America's supply chain, and reduce pollution from ships waiting to dock outside the harbor.

"This is a huge win for Long Beach, for our workers, and for people across the country who depend on goods moving through our port every single day," said Congressman Robert Garcia. "I've been fighting for this project since my days as Mayor of Long Beach, and today we took a major step toward getting it done. This investment will lower costs, prevent cargo delays, and reduce the pollution caused by ships idling outside our harbor. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law."

"Ports and the supply chain are vital to our economy, enabling commerce and energizing business activity across the nation. Federal investment in maritime infrastructure is crucial to bolstering the economic output created by trade, and reauthorizing the Water Resources Development Act is an important step to ensuring we are optimizing America's trade opportunities. At the Port of Long Beach, we are building the Port of the Future, and this legislation will help us advance key projects, including our Deep Draft Navigation Project that will improve navigational safety, maximize cargo efficiency and strengthen the flow of goods that reach every community in the United States," said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. "We are grateful to Rep. Garcia, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and all of our federal partners for recognizing that investing in ports like Long Beach builds a stronger, more competitive and resilient national economy."

Congressman Garcia has always fought to improve our community's infrastructure. In August 2025, Congressman Garcia announced that the DOT awarded over $24 million in federal funding for Long Beach Airport to expand key parts of the terminal and improve areas to make it easier and more comfortable for passengers to get through the airport. In 2024, Congressman Garcia led the Los Angeles County delegation to advocate for funding for Metro's Southeast Gateway Line Project. Congressman Garcia also helped secure over $283 million in federal grant money for the completion of the North Rail Yard Expansion and the South Rail Yard Expansion at the Port of Long Beach, which is estimated to create over 13,000 jobs nationwide. Congressman Garcia led efforts to secure funding for Los Angeles and Long Beach transit systems in preparation for the 2028 Olympics. As Mayor of the City of Long Beach, his signature ballot initiative, Measure A, launched the largest infrastructure repair program in a generation, promoting good-paying union jobs.

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