Once Again, Diaz-Balart Delivers BIG $90.5 M

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026:

"My record is clear. I consistently deliver for South Florida, and WRDA 26 builds on it. I am grateful to Chairman Sam Graves, for working with me to secure a critical provision that makes PortMiami eligible to compete for federal reimbursement of approximately $90.5 million for the Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project.

Since my time in the Florida Legislature, and now as a member of Congress, I have long fought for our state's seaports. As the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations in 2019, I created the first-ever dedicated pot of money specifically for seaport infrastructure development. Despite Miami-Dade County's many challenges at the Port, I have always understood the need to provide our ports with adequate resources to fit the needs of our growing economy, and the Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project did just that. This project created and continues to support thousands of jobs, has furthered the Port's cargo growth, surpassed one million TEUs for 11 consecutive years, and made its mark as the 11th largest container port in the United States of America.

Chairman Graves understands the vital importance of strengthening our nation's water infrastructure, supporting our ports and waterways, and advancing projects that benefit both our economy and our environment. Working alongside my Florida colleagues, Rep. Daniel Webster and Rep. Brian Mast, Chairman Graves leadership in navigating Florida's waters and delivering restoration for America's Everglades does not go unnoticed.

WRDA 26 directs the U.S. Army Corps to expedite completion of various studies and projects for Everglades restoration efforts in South Florida, as well as new authorization for feasibility studies in the region:

• Central & South Florida Project
• Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program
• Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration
• Central & South Florida Resiliency Study - Broward Basins for the project for flood risk management
• Flood Risk Management, Coastal Storm Risk Management, and Ecosystem Restoration in the back bay system of Broward County, Florida

These efforts are vital to restoring the Everglades and protecting South Florida's water supply, communities, and economy.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill Text is available here.

Background:

• Diaz-Balart secures Miami Harbor Deep Dredge project authorization in WRDA 2007.
• Diaz-Balart applauds then-Governor Rick Scott for commitment to job creation and economic growth for the region.(March 2011)
• Diaz-Balart champions modification authorization for the Deep Dredge Project at PortMiami in WRDA 13 (July 2013; / October 2013)
• Diaz-Balart, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, secures amendments to the authorized limit for the PortMiami Deep Dredge Project in the final FY2014 E&W Appropriations Bill. (January 2014)
• PortMiami Deep Dredge Project was completed in 2015 - ahead of schedule, and positioned PortMiami as the first U.S. port in the Southeast with a -50/52 foot controlling draft.
• Since completion, cargo activity has risen by 25.3% overall, and by as much as 43% in FY2011, the busiest year in the Port's history. PortMiami has surpassed one million TEUs for eleven consecutive years and welcomed more than 2,120 Neo-Panamax vessels. These vessels previously could not dock at the Port because of draft limitations.
• Today, PortMiami is the nation's 11^th largest container port and a major economic driver for South Florida, supporting 340,000 jobs and contributing $61 billion annually to the regional economy.

###