WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Aaron Schock (R-18th District) spearheaded a bipartisan letter, co-signed by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-11th District) and more than 60 of their House colleagues, to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking a resolution over growing concerns about impaired barge traffic down the Mississippi River.

Barge traffic could be severely disrupted or altogether grind to a halt along the middle of the Mississippi River between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill., because of the Army Corps of Engineers’ annual plan to reduce and eventually shut off water flows during this time of the year.

“The Mississippi River is a major artery of commerce for Illinois manufacturers and the agriculture community. As a vital gateway for American products to be shipped to markets throughout the U.S. and to ports around the globe, our economy can’t afford any interruptions to this steady flow of commerce,” Schock said. “This is ultimately about saving businesses both large and small, and protecting American jobs. I’m calling on the Army Corps of Engineers to work with Congress on a commonsense solution to keep barge traffic flowing.”