Rep. Cuellar Secures $25 Million Authorization for Laredo Water Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) secured a $25 million authorization for the Corps of Engineers to support water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in the City of Laredo. The authorization was included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026), which passed in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday, July 14. The provision covers water supply, storage, distribution systems, environmental restoration and stormwater management. The authorization could support a variety of local priorities, including replacing aging water pipes to reduce water loss, strengthening Laredo's long-term water supply and improving drainage in neighborhoods that experience repeated flooding. It could also fund the next phase of restoration work in the area by stabilizing creek banks, restoring natural floodplains and removing invasive plants. “Laredo’s water and wastewater systems have to keep pace with our growth, and that means real investment in the infrastructure our families rely on every day,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This authorization gives the Corps of Engineers the resources it needs to support water loss reduction, flood mitigation and environmental restoration work across Laredo. I’ll keep working to see this authorization through final passage and secure the appropriations that bring it to fruition.” 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, which could benefit Lake Casa Blanca. ###