U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, led a hearing Tuesday to discuss the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 and examine Army Corps of Engineers projects and priorities.

In her opening remarks, Capito emphasized the importance of passing WRDA 2026 on time with collaboration from stakeholders. She stressed the need for legislation that supports the efficient delivery of water resources projects while preserving the role of non-federal sponsors in addressing communities’ needs.

Flexibility is key to ensuring that the Corps can identify and carry out solutions that are tailored to the needs of each community.

The Senate committee has maintained a biennial schedule of passing WRDA legislation since 2014. Capito noted that the committee received a significant number of WRDA requests this year, demonstrating strong interest in the legislation.

The hearing examined the Trump Administration’s recently announced priorities for the Corps and the agency’s implementation of prior WRDA bills. Capito also praised the Army Corps’ critical work in navigation, flood risk management and ecosystem restoration.

Capito highlighted several projects underway in West Virginia, including the fifth phase of the Bluestone Dam Safety Assurance Mega-Project in Hinton, which will protect more than 150,000 people and $20 billion worth of infrastructure once completed. She also noted progress on the Lower Mud River Flood Risk Management project in Milton and ongoing work on the Kanawha River Basin and Upper Guyandotte feasibility studies.

The work of the Corps has and will continue to make a difference in communities, and that is certainly true in West Virginia.