en.Wedoany.com Reported - The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works plans to consider the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026) on July 15, 2026. Committee Chair, Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia), and Ranking Member, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), jointly announced this plan.

The Water Resources Development Act is biennial legislation that primarily authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects. The bill will also reauthorize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including State Revolving Funds (SRFs). This legislation was developed in collaboration with Capito, Whitehouse, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Kevin Cramer (North Dakota), Ranking Member Angela Alsobrooks (Maryland), and Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Ranking Member Adam Schiff (California).

Capito stated that the Army Corps of Engineers performs critical work in modernizing water infrastructure, managing flood and coastal storm risks, and improving waterways and port navigation, which protects lives and property while promoting economic development. She noted that the bill will provide the Army Corps with the resources needed to continue its essential work nationwide and deliver vital funding to address water infrastructure needs in West Virginia. Whitehouse stated that advancing this legislation reflects a bipartisan commitment to maintaining and upgrading the nation's water infrastructure, and Rhode Island will benefit from the bill's investments in safe drinking water, wastewater systems, flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and navigation.

Cramer noted that under both Republican and Democratic leadership, the Committee has worked through regular order every two years to pass a bipartisan water resources development bill, and this year's bill delivers wins for North Dakota and communities across the country. Alsobrooks stated that she secured provisions for Maryland, including increasing the federal cost share for the Cumberland Flood Risk Management Project, extending federal participation in the Assateague Island shoreline restoration project, and increasing funding for the Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration program. Schiff stated that the bill will provide critical resources to address water supply, conservation, and development issues, advance resilient water infrastructure, and deliver clean drinking water to millions of Americans; in California, these investments will lower water bills, provide flood protection, and modernize aging infrastructure.