The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously advanced the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 on July 17, sending the bipartisan legislation to the Senate floor for further consideration.
Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Ranking Member and Chair respectively, welcomed the committee’s support. “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 Whitehouse.
Capito said, “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.”
The WRDA is biennial legislation that authorizes flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Whitehouse included several provisions aimed at protecting Rhode Island’s natural ecosystems—such as increasing federal cost shares for coastal storm risk management projects along Rhode Island’s coastline; providing fish passage at dams on the Lower Blackstone River; addressing invasive species like hydrilla; authorizing studies on erosion control; adding priority areas under section 212 for streamlined project implementation; reauthorizing estuary health programs; launching a filtration pilot program targeting PFAS contamination in drinking water; increasing funding authorizations for state revolving funds; and supporting research into microplastic pollution.
Congress first enacted WRDA in 1974 to establish federal programs focused on flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and navigation improvements—and requires periodic renewal by law. The full text of the bill is available online.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee oversees federal programs related to environmental quality, natural resources, wildlife protection regulations, and infrastructure maintenance across the United States through its main office in the Dirksen Office Building with collaborative subcommittees focused on topics such as clean air policy, transportation infrastructure improvements, and balancing conservation with national needs, according to the official website.