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Read. Follow. Verify.Congress advances Water Resources Development Act of 2026 to fund and modify Army Corps of Engineers projects
Last action · September 17, 2026: Received in the Senate.Sponsors: Sam Graves and 3 others
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What This Bill Would Do
The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 authorizes and modifies numerous water resource infrastructure projects, studies, and programs managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The measure establishes new administrative offices within the Directorate of Civil Works, updates policies on dredging, , and contract efficiency, and authorizes specific feasibility studies and environmental infrastructure programs across multiple states.
This legislation dictates federal spending, project authorizations, and regulatory requirements for nationwide water management, flood control, harbor maintenance, and ecosystem restoration, directly impacting state and local governments, tribal communities, and property owners near federal water projects.
- The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is typically enacted on a biennial or multi-year basis by Congress to authorize and update civil works projects and policies of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. context
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program is responsible for maintaining federal navigation channels, reducing flood and storm damage, and restoring aquatic ecosystems across the United States. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The agency is required to establish new program offices, issue new rules for categorical permissions, update regulations, conduct studies, and oversee expanded water resource projects.
Non-Federal Interests and Project Sponsors
State and local entities, port authorities, and local sponsors face updated requirements, cost-sharing provisions, electronic submission systems, and opportunities for project study acceleration.
Missouri River States
Governors of the specified Missouri River States gain approval authority over water diversions and feasibility studies regarding water exports outside the basin.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new offices are being created within the Army Corps of Engineers?
Does the bill change rules regarding water diversion from the Missouri River?
How does the bill affect local project cost shares or funding caps?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Congress Vote: The House has passed H.R. 9497 - Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Press Release: Sam Graves, Rick Larsen Release Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Rep. Weber Secures Major Texas Gulf Coast Priorities as House Passes the Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Cole Votes in Favor of Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Press Release: Troy Nehls Votes for House Passage of Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
17 actions- Sep 17, 2026SenateReceived in the Senate.
- Sep 16, 2026HouseMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Sep 16, 2026HouseFloorOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 9 (Roll no. 313).
- Sep 16, 2026HouseFloorPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 9 (Roll no. 313).
- Sep 16, 2026HouseConsidered as unfinished business.
- Sep 16, 2026HouseAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Show 11 earlier actions
- Sep 16, 2026HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 9497.
- Sep 16, 2026HouseConsidered under suspension of the rules.
- Sep 16, 2026HouseMr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Sep 3, 2026HousePlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 695.
- Sep 3, 2026HouseReported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-795.
- Jul 14, 2026HouseCommitteeOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 66 - 0.
- Jul 14, 2026HouseCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 14, 2026HouseSubcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged
- Jun 30, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Jun 29, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Jun 29, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Voting Record
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
Total
433
- Yes
- 415
- No
- 9
- Present
- 0
- Not voting
- 9
- Abstain
- 0
How they voted (425)
401 more members
Lobbying Activity
VAN SCOYOC ASSOCIATES
on behalf of BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
LEWIS-BURKE ASSOCIATES, LLC
on behalf of UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
ILLINOIS AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
WATER STRATEGIES, LLC
on behalf of DESERT WATER AGENCY
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
on behalf of TOHOPEKALIGA WATER AUTHORITY
KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP
on behalf of SUNTEX MARINAS
MABRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC
on behalf of HIDALGO COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 1
ICE MILLER LLP
on behalf of WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION
COVENANT GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, LLC
on behalf of MISSISSIPPI STATE PORT AUTHORITY AT GULFPORT
COVENANT GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, LLC
on behalf of AMERICAN CONCRETE PIPE ASSOCIATION
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of Specialized Civil Works Offices
The legislation structurally reorganizes the Directorate of Civil Works by mandating four targeted program offices focused on inland navigation, water supply, technical assistance, and alternative delivery.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance95How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy35Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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