Bipartisan WRDA water infrastructure bill heads to Senate
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 heads to the Senate floor after unanimous passage under the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Since 2014, Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years to authorize flood risk management, navigation and ecosystem restoration projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps).
The WRDA 2026 authorizes 131 new feasibility studies for locally proposed water resources infrastructure projects, with 10 of those pre-vetted by the Corps and ready for construction authorization by Congress.
The WRDA 2026 also includes improvements in project delivery policy. This includes strengthening and reauthorizing alternative project delivery programs and strengthening connections with non-federal interests throughout.
“Unanimously advancing this significant package demonstrates bipartisan commitment to maintaining and upgrading the nation’s water infrastructure. The Ocean State stands to benefit much from this bill, which supports investments in safe drinking water and wastewater systems as well as flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and navigation,” said Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse.
“WRDA 2026 is an incredible bipartisan achievement that will strengthen water resources infrastructure and increase access to clean and safe drinking water nationwide. I look forward to the impact this bill will have on my home state of West Virginia as it supports flood risk management efforts, restores ecosystems, strengthens cybersecurity for critical water systems, and provides vital funding for water infrastructure projects across our state. I am proud to see this legislation move forward with strong bipartisan support,” said Chair Shelley Moore Capito.
