H.R. 9497: Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Sponsor
Sam Graves
Republican · MO-6
What H.R. 9497 does
H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, would authorize and modify water infrastructure projects and programs run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These include studies and projects for ports and harbors, navigable waterways, flood and storm damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, shoreline protection, harmful algal blooms, dam rehabilitation, recreation sites and water supply.
The bill would also direct the Corps to set up an Office on Alternative Delivery Methods to speed up projects, and to issue a rule creating categorical permissions for certain harbor or river improvements with only minimal adverse environmental effects.
How the House voted
Passed · September 16, 20269 Republicans broke with their party to vote no
Josh Brecheen
Troy Downing
Julie Fedorchak
Harriet Hageman
Andy Harris
Dusty Johnson
Barry Moore
Chip Roy
Keith SelfOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 9497 Water Resources Development Act · Roll no. 313 · Official record
HR9497 Legislative Journey
Sent to Senate
Sep 17, 2026
Received in the Senate.
House: Vote: 415-9
Sep 16, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 9 (Roll no. 313). (text: CR H5850-5888)
House: Committee Action
Sep 3, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-795.
House: Vote: 66-0
Jul 14, 2026
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 66 - 0.
House: Committee Action
Jun 30, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
House: Committee Action
Jun 29, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
About the Sponsor
Sam Graves
Republican, Missouri's 6th congressional district · 25 years in Congress
Committees: Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services
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Cosponsors (3)
This bill has 3 cosponsors: 2 Democrats, 1 Republican, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 3 states: Florida, Georgia, Washington.
Committee Sponsors
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
3 of 67 committee members cosponsored
34 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 9497 change?
31 changes
Sections Amended
Section 902(b) of Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2280(b))
read as follows: ``(b) Contributions by Non-Federal Interests
Section 2040(g) of Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2345(g))
inserting ``, and the requirements described in subsections (d) and (e) relating to Federal environmental documents shall apply with respect to Federal environmental review documents that are prepared after the date of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026'' before the period at the end
Section 2040 of Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2345)
adding at the end the following: ``(i) Consistency With E-NEPA
Section 155 of Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 2347c)
read as follows: ``SEC
Section 14 of Flood Control Act of 1946 (33 U.S.C. 701r)
striking ``$50,000,000'' and inserting ``$62,500,000''
Section 1135(h) of Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a(h))
striking ``$62,000,000'' and inserting ``$75,000,000''
Sections Repealed
1302(p) of Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3114)
H.R. 9497 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Transportation and Infrastructure
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Water Resources Development
- Introduced
- Jun 29, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Sep 17, 2026
H.R. 9497 Bill Text
“To provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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