HYDE-SMITH WORKED TO FUND MISS. PROJECTS IN SENATE-PASSED ARMY CORPS FUNDING BILL

HYDE-SMITH WORKED TO FUND MISS. PROJECTS IN SENATE-PASSED ARMY CORPS FUNDING BILL

Hyde-Smith Serves on Subcommittee that Wrote FY26 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted for final passage of an appropriations bill that will direct more than $184.1 million for 30 authorized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Mississippi, including $49 million for the Yazoo Backwater Pumps and $21.9 million for Arkabutla Lake dam repairs.

The Senate passed the FY2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 82-15, as part of a three-bill package (HR.6938) that will now be sent to President Trump for his consideration. Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, worked with her colleagues to secure increased funding beyond the administration's budget request for projects in Mississippi.

"The Army Corps always has important projects underway in Mississippi to improve our waterways and ports. I've been focused on ensuring it has adequate resources to make headway on securing the Arkabutla Lake dam, moving us forward on the Yazoo Backwater pumps, and sustaining our flood protection infrastructure," Hyde-Smith said. "This is a responsible bill and I'm pleased it's on a clear path to be signed into law."

Hyde-Smith indicated that the FY2026 measure builds on her previous efforts to support Army Corps work in Mississippi. Army Corps witnesses at a June 2025 budget review hearing testified to their full commitment to implementing the Record of Decision for the Yazoo Backwater Area Water Management Project.

The FY2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill funds the Army Corps, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Department of Energy defense and nondefense programs, as well as independent agencies like the Delta Regional Authority and Appalachian Regional Commission. Items of interest to Mississippi in this measure include:

Yazoo Backwater Area Project: $49 million to support flood risk management.

Delta Headwaters Project: $5 million

Mississippi Flood Control Reservoirs and Lakes: $30.1 million

• Arkabutla Lake - $21.9 million, a $15.9 million increase over the budget request, for emergency dam repairs and regular operation and maintenance.
• Enid Lake - $5.6 million
• Grenada Lake - $5.7 million
• Sardis Lake - $6.8 million

Mississippi Ports: $21.8 million for dredging, operation and maintenance activities

• Greenville Harbor - $3 million, a $1.67 million increase
• Vicksburg Harbor - $2.4 million, a 1.38 million increase
• Rosedale Harbor - $3.1 million, a 1.65 million increase
• Gulfport Harbor - $6.7 million
• Pascagoula Harbor - $6.5 million

Mississippi Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: $28.8 million to support water/wastewater infrastructure

• DeSoto County - $15 million
• City of Meridian - $10 million
• Rankin County - $3.8 million

Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway: $31 million for operation, maintenance, and wildlife mitigation activities

Independent Agencies:

• Appalachian Regional Commission: $200 million
• Delta Regional Authority: $32 million

The enactment of this three-bill package will mean Congress has approved six of the 12 annual appropriations bills for FY2026. HR.6938 spends less money-$10 billion less-than if these agencies were funded under a continuing resolution. Congress has until January 30 to act on the remaining FY2026 funding bills before a current continuing resolution expires.

###