U.S. House Passes Water Resources Development Act of 2026, Securing Wins for Texas and Local Communities

September 16, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) proudly voted "YES" on the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 , which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 415-9. "I am proud that the House passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026 , which strengthens our nation’s water infrastructure, supports economic growth, and equips the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build and maintain critical projects across the country," said Congressman Nehls. "This legislation delivers for Texas by supporting continued growth along the Matagorda Ship Channel and renewing and expanding project authorities in Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Galveston Counties. As Texas continues to experience rapid population and economic growth, these investments will help ensure our ports and water infrastructure can keep pace while keeping Texas at the forefront of our nation’s economy." The House-passed WRDA of 2026 contains several provisions championed by Congressman Nehls that directly benefit Texas and communities across TX-22: A section that directs the Secretary of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate and recommend local and systematic measures to improve the inland and intracoastal waterways; A section that creates multiple program offices within the Directorate of Civil Works, including the new Office of Inland Navigation Construction Management, which will provide oversight and coordination across the inland navigation portfolio; A section that states the Corps should maximize efficiency through the use of multi-year continuing contracts, while authorizing a Government Accountability Office to study the benefits of such contracts; A section that reauthorizes several existing Corps Civil Works programs, including the non-federal interest dredging authority, through 2030; A section that authorizes the Secretary to review lands in Chambers, Galveston, and Harris Counties, Texas, to identify any excess lands, including portions of Spilman Island and Pelican Island, to determine if any such land is no longer necessary for project purposes, and convey any excess land. A section that clarifies the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) allocation requirements from the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, specifically as related to donor and energy transfer ports; A section that directs the Secretary to expedite completion of the feasibility study for Matagorda Ship Channel, Port Lavaca, Texas; A section that authorizes new and modified environmental infrastructure authorities, including Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Galveston Counties in Texas, and Amarillo, Texas. Issues : Transportation And Infrastructure