Barragán Secures Major Port Funding Fix for Los Angeles and Long Beach in House-Passed Water Resources Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2026

Contact: [email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) announced that the House-passed Water Resources Development Act of 2026 includes an important provision she championed for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This provision would provide greater certainty for the ports to receive tens of millions of dollars in Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund resources.

Congress previously directed a share of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund resources to ports that generate significant Harbor Maintenance Tax revenue. However, a loophole in the law allowed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to apply the program inconsistently, which resulted in donor ports not receiving funding in two of the first three years the policy was in effect. Those missed years of funding cost the Port of Los Angeles over $100 million for key maintenance projects and safety upgrades to keep the port competitive.

WRDA 2026 closes that loophole and requires the Army Corps to report annually to Congress on how the funding is distributed. The change will provide greater certainty for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as they plan long-term maintenance and infrastructure investments. Port leaders from across the country have urged Congress to retain the provision in the final bill.

"The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are critical to our region and our entire national economy, and they should receive the federal resources Congress intended for them," said Congresswoman Barragán. "This provision addresses a gap in the law that created years of uncertainty and will help ensure our ports can count on a fair and consistent share of these funds."

"H.R. 9497 includes key provisions that provide funding certainty so the Port of Los Angeles can plan and invest in the critical ongoing operations and maintenance projects that keep cargo moving reliably to every congressional district in the country," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. "We applaud this progress and urge Congress to pass a final bill this year."

The WRDA bill also includes several additional priorities of Rep. Barragán. It:

• Increases South Gate's authorization by $1 million for water infrastructure, including its groundwater drinking well project. This funding remains subject to future appropriations.
• Returns local control of designated portions of the Los Angeles River, Compton Creek, Rio Hondo, and other flood control channels to the Los Angeles County Flood Control District, reducing duplicative federal permitting requirements for restoration and maintenance projects.
• Increases Los Angeles County's authorization by $100 million for water infrastructure. The authorization will also require future appropriations.

WRDA 2026 must still pass the Senate. Any differences between the House and Senate bills would then need to be resolved before final legislation can be sent to the President.

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