Bill · H.R. 9497· House(119-HR-9497)
Water Resources Development Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 6/29/2026
- Last activity
- 9/17/2026 — Received in the Senate.
- Sponsored by
- Sam Graves
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Awaiting Senate
What this bill would do
This Act is cited as the Water Resources Development Act of 2026. It provides for improvements to rivers and harbors in the United States and the conservation and development of water and related resources. The legislation establishes new program offices within the Directorate of Civil Works, such as the Office of Inland Navigation Construction Management and the Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency. It authorizes numerous feasibility studies, project modifications, and environmental infrastructure projects across the country. Additionally, the bill includes provisions regarding contract efficiency, contaminated sediment removal, levee safety, and local financial assistance.
Yes· 3 of 35
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+8
Directly authorizes land transfers to Tribal entities and prioritizes technical assistance for Tribal communities.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+8
Explicitly prioritizes rural communities for technical and financial assistance for water and drought projects.
Would farmers be better off under this?+7
Drought resiliency programs, water storage, and irrigation funding directly benefit agricultural productivity.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-5
The bill explicitly increases spending limits and funding authorizations for dozens of regional water resource programs.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-3
The bill authorizes substantial new federal spending on infrastructure and environmental projects without identifying offsets.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?-2
Increases federal financial commitments for local infrastructure projects without corresponding budget cuts.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 415–9
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
09/16/2026 · Roll call 313 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 101: Establishing the Office on Technical Assistance and Community Outreach and an online electronic portal will help non-Federal interests, particularly rural and Tribal communities, access water resources development programs, services, and financial assistance.
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Section 109: Modifying continuing authority programs and expanding funding limits for emergency streambank protection and small flood control projects will allow the Secretary to more effectively carry out studies and projects addressing flood risk management and drought resiliency.
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Section 135: Requiring open communications with each office of a Member of Congress ensures that elected officials can promptly obtain information and technical assistance relating to water resources development projects on behalf of their constituents.
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Section 401: Authorizing new navigation, flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and coastal storm risk management projects across various states will directly fund critical infrastructure improvements for local communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 103: While this section protects the Secretary from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 for specific covered activities conducted under an approved joint plan, it does not affect the liability of other persons for activities that are not covered activities or for costs resulting from negligence, which could burden non-federal entities or private parties involved in cleanup operations.
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Section 301: The deauthorization of inactive projects may terminate federal authorization for water resources development projects that have experienced delays or lack of recent funding, potentially removing planned flood risk management or navigation improvements desired by local communities.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+8Good For Rural Residents+8Good For Farmers+7Good For Business Owners+6Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Urban Residents+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Middle Aged+4Good For Seniors+4Good For Union Workers+4Good For High Income Households+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Students+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Children+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+7Improves Rural Development+7Improves Environmental Protections+6Improves Public Land Management+4Reduces Carbon Emissions+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6Improves Interstate Commerce+5Increase States Rights+4Increases Federal Power+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+4
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+4Improves Small Business Support+3Reduces Government Spending-5Reduces National Debt-3Improves Fiscal Responsibility-2
- 9/17/2026
- Received in the Senate.
- 9/16/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/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).
- 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). (text: CR H5850-5888)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5959-5960)
- At 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 9497.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5850-5893)
- Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 9/3/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-795.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 695.
- 7/14/2026
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 66 - 0.
- 6/30/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 6/29/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-10386: To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to increase the amount and purposes of funds authorized for the Secretary of the Army to carry out water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Toledo and Oregon, Ohio, and for other purposes.
- 119-HR-10387: To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out additional Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem restoration projects not eligible under current policy of the Department of the Army, and for other purposes.
Mike CollinsRepublican · Georgia
Rick LarsenDemocrat · Washington
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida