6/30/2025

GMA Announces the Congressional Geosynthetic Materials Caucus

The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) is excited to announce the formation of the Congressional Geosynthetic Materials Caucus, established under the bipartisan leadership of co-chairs Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX).

Congressman Westerman has long championed the use of geosynthetics, drawing on insights from his 22-year career as an engineer, where he saw their benefits firsthand. “Greater use of geosynthetic materials has the potential to ensure that American infrastructure is built faster and lasts longer,” said Rep. Westerman. “The Geosynthetic Materials Caucus provides an outlet to educate congressional offices about the benefits these technologies bring to America’s infrastructure projects.”

“Geosynthetic materials play a vital role in modernizing America’s infrastructure, providing cost-effective solutions to challenges faced by communities across the nation,” said Rep. Veasey. “I am proud to be part of the Geosynthetic Materials Caucus, which will advance the use of these proven and innovative technologies.”

“The Geosynthetic Materials Association would like to thank Congressman Bruce Westerman and Congressman Marc Veasey for their leadership in co-chairing the creation of the Congressional Geosynthetic Materials Caucus,” said Fred Chuck, Executive Director of GMA. “As an informal group of members dedicated to issues related to geosynthetic materials, GMA is excited about the opportunities the caucus will provide to educate and inform congressional offices about the value and benefits geosynthetics bring to the nation’s infrastructure resilience and sustainability.”

The Geosynthetic Materials Caucus will:

1. Raise awareness about the benefits and applications of geosynthetic materials in infrastructure, environmental protection, and construction projects.
2. Promote legislation that supports the use of geosynthetic materials in infrastructure projects, improves standards and regulations, and fosters innovation in the field.
3. Support research and advocate for federal funding to advance the use of geosynthetics in infrastructure.
4. Facilitate collaboration among Members of Congress, industry, and stakeholders through organized educational events and outreach programs.

“The establishment of the Geosynthetic Materials Caucus is an important milestone for our industry and for the infrastructure of the United States,” said Bryan Gee, Immediate Past Chair of GMA. “This organization will expand our efforts to deliver the value geosynthetics offer, improving the performance of our nation’s infrastructure through increased construction efficiency and extended design life.”

“I am excited that Congressmen Westerman and Veasey have taken the lead in forming the Geosynthetic Materials Caucus,” said Daniel Selander, Chairman of GMA. “They continue to demonstrate a commitment to investing in proven yet underutilized technologies for our nation’s civil infrastructure.”

“The formation of the Congressional Geosynthetic Materials Caucus is a significant milestone in raising awareness about proven technologies that have been underutilized in federal infrastructure projects,” said Kathryn Grant, Vice Chair of GMA. “The Caucus will foster innovation and raise standards and regulations, resulting in more sustainable and resilient infrastructure.”

About the Geosynthetics Materials Association

GMA represents manufacturing and distributing geosynthetic products for the North American marketplace. As an industry, GMA provides more than 16,000 U.S. jobs in all 50 states and U.S. territories, including manufacturing, fabrication, distribution, and installation. The geosynthetics industry provides $2.7 billion to the U.S. economy. Geosynthetic materials are a critical, innovative element of the transportation construction industry as they deliver cost savings, sustainability, and longevity for a variety of civil infrastructure applications. Geosynthetics can be deployed faster than traditional materials, resulting in faster project delivery and decreased congestion. https://geosynthetics.textiles.org/