Water Resources Bill Passes the House With Houston Flood Protection Provision

The House of Representatives voted unanimously this week to pass the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, including a flood protection provision that two Texas lawmakers have been pushing for years.

Representatives Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) and Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) led an effort to have the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) speed up a Chief’s Report on a large underground tunnel that could reduce flooding around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and along Buffalo Bayou. A Chief’s Report is the Corps’ recommendation to Congress on whether a water project should move forward.

Rep. Fletcher said the effort would advance a project that Houston-area stakeholders have identified and supported as an effective way to protect communities from flooding.

“Since my first term in Congress, protecting our community from flooding has been central to my work, and completing the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study is essential to that effort,” Rep. Fletcher said.

The 2024 version of the bill required this report from the USACE. Instead, Reps. Fletcher and Luttrell said it produced a report of findings that presented three tunnel options and later requested funding to evaluate the difference between the tunnels.

“This provision ensures the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes the Chief's Report on the large tunnel solution, as originally required,” Rep. Luttrell said.

Rep. Luttrell said this project will help protect the Houston area from floods of all sizes. Whether it’s a catastrophic storm or a series of smaller flooding events, he said the project would strengthen the region’s long-term flood resilience.

“Since my first term in Congress, protecting our community from flooding has been central to my work, and completing the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study is essential to that effort,” Rep. Luttrell said.

The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote.