A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 9 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "DROUGHT Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014. It focuses on adjusting Federal assistance for specific water infrastructure projects. The amendment allows for Federal assistance to cover up to 90 percent of a covered project's total cost. Priority is given to projects in areas facing severe drought or specific economic conditions. It also targets projects deemed to have regional or national significance by the Secretary or Administrator.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill specifically prioritizes infrastructure projects that serve areas with household incomes at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill promotes water reuse, recycling, and reduced water usage, which directly enhances environmental sustainability.
- Scored +4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
By prioritizing drought-stricken regions and specific counties, the bill supports the water security of rural and drought-prone communities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Financial Support for Water Projects: The bill allows Federal assistance for a covered project to reach up to 90 percent of the total project cost, which is an exception to previous limits (Section 2, (D)(i)).
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Support for Drought-Stricken Areas: Financing is prioritized for projects located in States designated with severe drought (D2) or greater for at least 4 weeks in the previous 5 years, or in counties where a Governor has declared a drought emergency (Section 2, (D)(iii)(I)).
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Economic Relief for Low-Income Communities: Priority is given to projects serving areas where the average household income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold established by the Bureau of the Census, or those meeting specific affordability criteria (Section 2, (D)(iii)(II)).
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Benefits from Significant Infrastructure: Projects designated as having regional or national significance can provide benefits such as increased drinking water supply capacity or reliability, enhanced water reuse or recycling, reduced regional water usage, lower costs to ratepayers, or substantial public health or environmental benefits (Section 2, (D)(iii)(III)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill specifically prioritizes infrastructure projects that serve areas with household incomes at or below 200 percent of the poverty threshold. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — By prioritizing drought-stricken regions and specific counties, the bill supports the water security of rural and drought-prone communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill promotes water reuse, recycling, and reduced water usage, which directly enhances environmental sustainability. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides targeted funding for drought-stricken areas that may include rural jurisdictions lacking water security.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investing in water infrastructure can stimulate regional economies through enhanced resource reliability and improved utility services. Is this likely to create jobs? — Increasing federal assistance for water infrastructure projects likely supports job creation in the construction and engineering sectors.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill prioritizes water projects that serve low-income areas, which can reduce the financial burden of water services on vulnerable households.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — While not directly related to addiction, the bill's emphasis on water infrastructure can provide substantial public health benefits.
- 5/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 3/5/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Jim CostaDemocrat · California
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Raul RuizDemocrat · California
Juan VargasDemocrat · California