Rep. Cuellar Secures $30 Million Authorization to Support Water Infrastructure in Zapata County

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) secured a $30 million authorization to support water infrastructure improvements in Zapata County, along with a directive to expedite erosion protection work in the Medina Colonia. The provisions were included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026), which passed in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, July 14. WRDA 2026 increases a previous authorization for Zapata County from $20 million to $30 million and expands it to support additional water infrastructure improvements. The bill also directs the Corps of Engineers to expedite erosion protection work already underway in the Medina Colonia to help protect infrastructure from further damage. “Zapata County has real needs when it comes to water infrastructure and erosion control, and WRDA 2026 responds to both,” said Congressman Cuellar. “Increasing the authorization and expanding its scope give the Corps of Engineers greater flexibility to support Zapata County’s water system, and directing the Corps to expedite the Medina Colonia erosion work gets families the protection they’ve been waiting for. I’ll keep pushing to see both provisions through to final passage.” WRDA 2026 also includes several other TX-28 priorities, including expanded eligibility for Rio Grande Basin watershed and water quality programs, increased shoreline erosion protection opportunities for Rio Grande border counties and a higher authorization ceiling for the Corps’ Lakes Program. ###