Support for the Water Resources Development Act of 2026

Dear Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, and commends your bipartisan work to advance smart, modern, and resilient water infrastructure. WRDA remains one of Congress' most effective tools for strengthening our nation's supply chains, protecting communities, improving project delivery, and supporting long-term economic growth.

This legislation reflects many of the Chamber's priorities. By advancing reforms to improve Corps permitting, expand electronic submission and tracking, strengthen inland navigation management, support flood risk reduction, and improve real estate and appraisal processes, the bill would help reduce costly delays and give project sponsors greater certainty and flexibility. These reforms matter to businesses, ports, utilities, and communities working to move critical water resources projects from concept to completion.

Reliable water is essential to companies and communities across the country, so we appreciate the bill's focus on water supply, conservation, and drought resilience. Enhancing Corps capacity in these areas, along with technical assistance, is a practical step toward meeting growing demand and ensuring that infrastructure policy keeps pace with the needs of a competitive economy.

We are particularly encouraged by provisions that:

• Improve permitting through categorical permissions and a more transparent electronic portal;
• Strengthen navigation and inland waterways project delivery;
• Support flood protection, levee safety, and nonstructural approaches to reduce risk;
• Advance water supply, conservation, small water storage, and drought-resilience tools, including nature-based solutions;
• Provide flexibility for non-federal sponsors and improve project delivery;
• Streamline real estate and land acquisition processes; and
• Continue attention to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and the maritime infrastructure that underpins an American trade agenda.

In addition, as the bill advances the Chamber respectfully encourages the Committee to authorize the Corps' Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program through FY 2029 and preserve its ability to provide long-term, low-cost credit assistance for large water resources projects. Congress should also expand eligible projects to include flood risk management, water reuse, water supply and storage, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects involving non-federal sponsors.

WRDA 2026 is an important opportunity to modernize America's water resources policy, accelerate infrastructure delivery, and build stronger, safer, and more competitive communities and the businesses that operate there. We urge timely passage of this bipartisan legislation by the Committee for consideration by the full House and stand ready to assist as these priorities move through your committees.

Sincerely,

Chuck Chaitovitz
Vice President
Environmental Affairs and Sustainability
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Cc: Members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee