Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2026

• •$6,140,000,000 allocated for operation and maintenance of existing water infrastructure, including harbor channels and navigation projects.
• •$2,555,000,000 allocated for the construction of new river, harbor, flood, and storm damage reduction projects.
• •$490,000,000 allocated for flood damage reduction in the Mississippi River alluvial valley.
• •$221,000,000 allocated for the administration of laws regulating navigable waters and wetlands.
• •$200,000,000 allocated for investigations, surveys, and planning of future water projects.
• •$40,000,000 allocated for flood, hurricane, and natural disaster emergency response.
• •$40,000,000 of the operation and maintenance budget is specifically designated for replacing federal dredges.
• •The Secretary of the Army is prohibited from deviating from the submitted work plan once it is provided to the Congressional Committees on Appropriations.
• •1 percent of funds for each program is held back until the fourth quarter of the fiscal year to be used for emergency activities by the Chief of Engineers.
• •Construction costs for inland waterways are to be covered 25 percent by the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.

This bill determines the federal budget for critical water infrastructure projects, directly impacting the maintenance of harbors, flood protection systems, and navigation channels that support national commerce and public safety through September 30, 2026.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.