House of Representatives Passes Water Resources Development Act with Multiple Priorities Secured by Rep. Cleaver

(Washington, D.C.) - This week, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation that authorizes critical U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects to strengthen infrastructure, protect communities, and support long-term economic growth. The legislation includes numerous provisions championed by U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) that will benefit the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri.

"The investments made in this year's WRDA legislation, including several infrastructure improvements I was able to secure for our congressional district, will lead to better protection for the Missouri River, cleaner water for Missouri families, and stronger economic development for communities throughout the region," said Congressman Cleaver. "I was pleased to obtain critical funding that will go towards local projects that will improve water quality for families while preserving water resources for western Missouri, and I look forward to the legislation being signed into law."

The provisions secured by Congressman Cleaver include:

• A $45 million authorization for Phase 5 of the Brookside Sewer Separation Project in Kansas City
• Language prohibiting out-of-basin water transfers from the Missouri River and its tributaries, helping safeguard one of the region's most vital natural resources
• Authorization of the Lower Missouri River Flood Risk and Resiliency Comprehensive Study, a critical step toward protecting communities from increasingly severe flooding while improving long-term resilience throughout the region

The $45 million authorization for the Phase 5 of Kansas City's Brookside Sewer Separation Project will support ongoing efforts to modernize aging wastewater infrastructure, reduce sewer overflows, improve water quality, and protect public health while ensuring the city can continue meeting federal environmental standards.

The bill also includes Congressman Cleaver's effort to prevent out-of-basin water transfers from the Missouri River and its tributaries, preserving water resources that are essential to communities, agriculture, navigation, industry, and ecosystems throughout Missouri and neighboring states.

Additionally, the legislation authorizes the Lower Missouri River Flood Risk and Resiliency Comprehensive Study, allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate long-term strategies to reduce flood risk, strengthen community resilience, and improve management of the Lower Missouri River in the face of increasingly frequent severe weather events.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 is considered every two years and authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects that improve navigation, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and water infrastructure across the country.

Official text of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.