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T&I PASSES WRDA 2026
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The Committee marked up the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which was unanimously approved on July 14, 2026. This bipartisan legislation addresses important water resources infrastructure needs across the country. WRDA 2026 authorizes critical investments in projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes important reforms to policies related to the Corps' operations. Enacted every two years since 2014, WRDA supports improvements to ports and harbors, inland waterways, flood and storm risk management, and other essential water infrastructure. Because of the important infrastructure improvements provided under WRDA, the bill has attracted broad support from an array of stakeholders. The legislation continues Congress' commitment to advancing locally-driven projects that strengthen communities and support U.S. economic growth.
Read more about WRDA here.
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COMMITTEE ACTIVITY
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Reforming FEMA: Ensuring the Nation's Disaster Readiness Works for Americans
The full T&I Committee held a hearing to examine comprehensive reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the nation's disaster response and recovery system. Members discussed longstanding problems at FEMA, including rising disaster costs, and delayed recovery projects. Members and witnesses also discussed the bipartisan FEMA Act, which seeks to address longstanding problems at FEMA by establishing a state-led, locally executed, and federally supported disaster response system, accelerating mitigation funding and projects, and simplifying assistance for disaster survivors.
Read more about the full committee hearing here.
Chairman Graves discusses efforts to improve federal disaster assistance and FEMA at the full committee hearing on July 15th, 2026.
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Roundtable on Intersecting Courses: Maritime Safety Regulation and Technology
Members and participants discussed marine safety programs and heard directly from a broad range of domestic maritime operators at a July 21st Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee roundtable. Participants highlighted the unique safety challenges facing their sectors, recent improvements driven by stronger industry practices, and the growing role of technology in vessel construction and operations. The conversation also explored how the Coast Guard can balance safety oversight with innovation as new technologies are adopted, as well as steps industry and federal regulators can take to strengthen safety across the maritime transportation system.
Read more about the subcommittee roundtable here.
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MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT
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As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Rep. Mike Collins is spearheading the Committee's efforts to pass WRDA 2026, which supports improvements to ports and harbors, inland waterways, flood and storm risk management, and other critical water infrastructure. Rep. Collins, an entrepreneur and businessman who started his own trucking company, is a second-term Congressman from Georgia's 10th District.
Rep. Collins is also a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Rep. James Gallagher (R-CA) is a first-term Congressman representing California's first district. He was recently elected following the passing of former T&I Member, Rep. Doug LaMalfa. Before being elected to Congress, he served in the California State Assembly and on the Sutter County Board of Supervisors. Rep. Gallagher practiced law representing small businesses and agricultural producers while helping operate his family's farm in California. He also serves on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
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