Rep. Gillen Celebrates Passage of $125 Million in Federal Funding Authorization for Long Island Out of House in Bipartisan Water Resources Infrastructure Package

September 17, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) celebrated the passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026 out of the House of Representatives, which included $125 million she secured for Long Island water infrastructure project authorizations. The two-year water resources infrastructure investments package previously passed unanimously out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The package includes several of Rep. Gillen’s priorities, such as bolstering flood risk management, storm damage prevention and coastal restoration in communities across New York’s 4th Congressional District. “I am thrilled that this bipartisan water infrastructure package has passed the House with real investments for Long Island,” said Rep. Gillen . “Through my work on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I fought to secure $125 million for critical water infrastructure projects across our communities. That includes replacing lead pipes in Garden City, upgrading aging water mains in Long Beach and strengthening stormwater pumps in Freeport. These investments will protect our drinking water, strengthen our infrastructure and help keep Long Islanders safe for generations to come.” In the package, Rep. Gillen secured funding authorization for multiple environmental infrastructure efforts on Long Island. The bill authorizes funding but does not appropriate it; the House Appropriations Committee provides actual funding. Authorization of $11 million for the Village of Garden City to replace legacy lead water service lines with new non-lead water service lines. Authorization of $25 million for the City of Long Beach to make essential upgrades to its aging water main infrastructure, to ensure that the public has access to safe, clean, reliable drinking water. Authorization of $3.3 million for the Village of Freeport to support the installation of additional stormwater pumping stations to mitigate chronic tidal flooding and storm-related inundation that regularly impacts residential neighborhoods, roadways and critical infrastructure. Authorization of $130,000 to help mitigate flooding on Rock Hall Road, near Lawrence Avenue. Authorization of $65.57 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Authorization of $20 million for water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management, water reclamation and environmental restoration in Nassau County. Rep. Gillen also advanced the Coastal Infrastructure Improvement Act , bipartisan legislation she introduced with Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), that directs the Secretary of the Army to research shoreline stabilization and erosion-control technology to prevent coastal erosion. Rep. Gillen additionally secured the following project and study priorities in the legislation. These projects can now proceed at the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or through the appropriations process. Expediting the Nassau County Back Bays Coastal Storm Risk Management Project Study to protect Nassau County's South Shore from flooding. Authorization of proposed feasibility study for the Reynolds Channel project in the Village of Atlantic Beach to reduce coastal flooding impacts to public street ends, drainage outfalls, open spaces and marine rescue facilities through bulkhead replacement and shoreline stabilization. Authorization of proposed feasibility study for the dredging of Bannister Bay in the Village of Lawrence. Authorization of proposed feasibility study for ecosystem restoration, flood risk management, coastal storm risk management and navigation off the South Shore of Long Island. Authorization to expedite a project in the City of Long Beach to remove and replace seven beach groins critically needed to stabilize the beach, reduce damage from future storms and reduce the need for future sand renourishment. ### Issues : Infrastructure