Why It Matters

The House overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan water infrastructure bill that would authorize and modify Army Corps projects nationwide, including investments in ports, waterways, flood protection, and environmental restoration.

H.R.9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, authorizes and modifies water-resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The measure addresses port and harbor maintenance, waterway navigation, flood and storm damage, aquatic ecosystem restoration, shoreline protection, harmful algal blooms, dam rehabilitation, recreational facilities, and water supply and storage.

The bill also directs the Army Corps to establish an Office on Alternative Delivery Methods to accelerate project delivery and includes provisions intended to streamline certain Corps processes. The House approved the measure 415-9 on Sept. 16 under suspension of the rules, sending the legislation to the Senate.

The Big Picture

Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) introduced the bill on June 29 with three original cosponsors, and it was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Water Resources Development Act bills are generally structured to attract support from both parties because Army Corps projects affect ports, inland waterways, flood-prone communities and water infrastructure across the country. Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years since 2014.

The bill combines economic and commercial priorities with flood resilience, environmental restoration and changes intended to accelerate the delivery of Army Corps projects.

A separate Senate measure, S. 4949, could ultimately be reconciled with the House legislation. Congress would have to resolve differences between the chambers' approaches before it could send final legislation to the president.

Partisan Perspectives

The legislative record shows bipartisan sponsorship by Graves, Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) and Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), along with unanimous committee approval and a 415-9 House vote.

The committee described the legislation as a bipartisan measure addressing ports and harbors, inland-waterway navigation, flood and storm-risk management and other water-resource priorities. The overwhelming House vote indicates broad, bipartisan support for the House version of the legislation. The records reviewed do not establish an administration position on the bill.

The Bottom Line

The House has passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act, but H.R.9497 is not necessarily the final version of the legislation. The Senate has its own WRDA measure, and the chambers would have to resolve differences before a final bill could become law.

The measure is moving through the biennial WRDA process described by the Congressional Research Service for authorizing Army Corps civil-works projects and programs. The next major question is how the Senate handles its water-resources legislation and whether the chambers reach agreement on a final package.

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