Why It Matters
The Trump administration's fiscal 2026 budget request excludes all funding for the Army Corps of Engineers' Continuing Authorities Programs (CAPs), yet Congress appropriated $33.1 million for the programs in the explanatory statement accompanying the fiscal 2026 appropriations bill, according to a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report. CAPs function as the primary mechanism through which municipalities and nonprofits can pursue federal support for flood control, shoreline protection, and ecosystem restoration without requiring individual congressional authorization.
The Big Picture
CAPs operate under section-based authorities dating back decades, each with distinct purposes and cost-sharing requirements. Congress directed $33.1 million in fiscal 2026 appropriations under P.L. 119-74, with Section 204 receiving $18.0 million, Section 107 receiving $6.5 million, and Section 111 receiving $3.1 million. Section 206 (aquatic ecosystem restoration) received $0.5 million, while Section 103 (shore protection) and Section 208 (flood control channel clearing) received no annual appropriations.
In fiscal 2025, the Trump administration funded only one CAP project through annual appropriations, the $23 million Section 111 project at Camp Ellis in Saco, Maine, while directing nearly $100 million in disaster relief supplemental funds toward flood-related CAPs under §14 and §205. The proposed $6.66 billion overall budget for the Army Corps of Engineers marks a reduction of approximately $2.04 billion from the roughly $8.70 billion provided in both fiscal 2024 and 2025.
S. 4949 would establish simplified evaluation procedures for CAPs and categorically exclude CAP projects from NEPA documentation. The House version, H.R. 9497, would authorize new CAPs for flood control project improvements and drought resiliency. By mid-July, both bills had gained significant momentum: H.R. 9497 passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously on July 14, and S. 4949 was unanimously approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on July 15. Both bills now await consideration by their respective full chambers.
The Bottom Line
Local sponsors have already demonstrated demand, with the Army Corps receiving requests that exceed available funding in prior years. With both legislative proposals now advancing through committee, there is renewed momentum toward streamlining the CAP approval process and potentially increasing funding. However, without final passage and presidential signature, communities seeking federal water infrastructure assistance will continue to face constraints on project initiation and completion timelines.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article