Puerto Rico's Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, bipartisan legislation authorizing water infrastructure projects led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
The bill will next go to the full House for consideration and approval. WRDA is legislation Congress traditionally passes every two years to authorize new projects and continue infrastructure initiatives related to flood management, coastal protection, environmental restoration, and navigation, aimed at community safety and economic development. According to PRFAA, the 2026 version includes provisions, studies, and infrastructure projects that would benefit Puerto Rico as part of efforts to strengthen and modernize systems on the island.
The legislation also incorporates measures to speed up execution of USACE projects, strengthen collaboration with state, territorial, and municipal governments, and improve access to specialized technical assistance. It further seeks to bolster USACE's navigation mission, promote greater accountability to Congress, and reinforce flood mitigation strategies.