House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advances Water Resources Development Act of 2026

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, moving the bill from committee toward floor consideration, speakers said.

Committee members described the bill as a multi-part package aimed at addressing water challenges nationwide. "It authorizes more than $6,000,000,000 for communities to address water challenges," the moderator said, and added that the measure would enable communities of varying sizes and economic means to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The moderator also said the bill includes support for ports and supply chains intended "to keep our economy moving."

Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, identified in the transcript as a member of Congress, said the bill contains "preventative measures to protect against invasive species," citing threats to Great Lakes waters from "sea lampreys to zebra mussels." Scholten characterized those protections as investments that would "save a lot of money and time."

Speakers said the committee passed the measure in committee and will seek floor time for debate; they noted a Senate version is in development. The transcript did not include a formal roll-call tally or the name of a motion maker and seconder.

What happens next: members said committee passage clears the bill to be scheduled for floor debate in the House and that the Senate is working on its own version. The transcript does not record a final vote tally, specific amendment texts, or an expected date for floor consideration.