Shelley Capito (R-WV)
Water Resources Development Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 457.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 focuses on improving United States rivers and harbors and conserving water resources. It establishes new rules for how the Secretary of the Army manages water projects, including faster evaluation procedures for certain programs. The bill mandates more frequent reporting and communication between the Secretary and Congress to ensure accountability. It also provides for the protection of shorelines, the management of flood risks, and the coordination of dredging activities.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +5
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
Promotes nonstructural flood risk management and adapts to natural floodplains to reduce damages.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Improved port and harbor efficiency benefits shipping and logistics businesses.
- Scored +4
Would people in cities be better off under this?
Harbor and river improvements directly benefit port cities and urban waterways.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill allows certain projects to be categorically excluded from NEPA environmental assessments.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Project Funding Options: Non-Federal interests can request an option to contribute up to 10 percent more than the maximum cost for authorized navigation projects (Section 1103).
- Improved Flood Risk Management: The bill promotes "nonstructural features" like elevating structures and floodproofing to reduce damages by adapting to natural floodplains (Section 1118(a)).
- Voluntary Property Acquisition: For flood and storm risk projects authorized after the act, property acquisition and demolition must be done on a voluntary basis (Section 1118(d)).
- Enhanced Shoreline Protection: The bill increases the funding limit for shoreline and riverine protection and restoration to $20,000,000 and adds several new watersheds and coastlines to the program, including areas in Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Alaska (Section 1111).
- Technical Assistance for Applicants: The Secretary can now provide technical assistance to non-Federal entities planning to apply for permissions to alter civil works projects (Section 1105(a)(4)).
- Better Project Communication: The District Engineer must provide non-Federal interests with written status updates, schedules, and funding documentation at least every 60 days (Section 1115(c)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Environmental Review: Projects under continuing authority or environmental infrastructure programs with a Federal cost share under $50,000,000 may be categorically excluded from environmental assessments or impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 1109(a)).
- Simplified Project Evaluations: For certain programs, District Commanders may use "simplified evaluation procedures," which include limited screening or evaluation of alternatives (Section 1106(b)(2)(A)).
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 business owners be better off under this? — Improved port and harbor efficiency benefits shipping and logistics businesses. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Includes specific shoreline and riverine protections for rural areas like Alaska and Vermont. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Harbor and river improvements directly benefit port cities and urban waterways. Would farmers be better off under this? — Water resource development often benefits agricultural irrigation and transport of crops. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Nonstructural flood risk management helps protect vulnerable residents from flood damages. Would union members be better off under this? — Infrastructure project expansion typically increases demand for unionized construction labor.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Mandates frequent reporting, written status updates, and communication between the Secretary and Congress. Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Enhances the operation of navigable waterways used for interstate commerce.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Increased funding and expedited processes for water infrastructure projects likely stimulate construction and engineering jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Infrastructure improvements to harbors and rivers facilitate trade and economic activity.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Promotes nonstructural flood risk management and adapts to natural floodplains to reduce damages. Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides shoreline and riverine protection for rural areas and specific watersheds. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill allows certain projects to be categorically excluded from NEPA environmental assessments.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Funds academic research on navigation and supply chain resilience.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Improved river and harbor infrastructure supports more efficient international trade.
- 7/15/2026
- Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Capito with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 457.
- 7/13/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island