CONGRESSMAN VICENTE GONZALEZ SECURES LANGUAGE IN HOUSE ENERGY & WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL TO ADVANCE KEY WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN SOUTH TEXAS
Provisions will support water infrastructure, mitigate flooding in coastal areas and continue advancing efforts to deepen the Port of Brownsville
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced that three of his amendments were included in the House Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water funding bill.
“While I am pleased to see the passage of my amendments to make the Rio Grande Valley and the Coastal Bend more resilient and open to greater economic opportunity, I could not turn a blind eye to raising energy costs and the $5.1 billion in cuts to energy infrastructure projects. Cuts like these could stand to jeopardize further funding from our very own South Texas Direct Air Capture Hub," said Congressman Gonzalez. “While I voted against this bill, my vote does not dismiss the vital provisions that mitigate flooding in our coastal communities, advance efforts to deepen the Port of Brownsville, and direct federal agencies to prioritize funding for water and wastewater infrastructure in South Texas.”
The first amendment expresses the importance of providing $40 million for water and wastewater infrastructure developments in South Texas. This amendment highlights the urgency to provide the City of Brownsville $40 million for water and wastewater infrastructure development as authorized in the passage of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resource Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), a bill Congressman Gonzalez supported.
“We commend Congressman Vicente Gonzalez for his leadership in spotlighting the urgent need for water and wastewater infrastructure investment through his ongoing efforts for the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,” said Marilyn D. Gilbert, General Manager & CEO of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board.“ This proposed bill is designated to support infrastructure projects and sends a clear message to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that communities like Brownsville are ready to partner on critical water and wastewater projects that strengthen resilience and improve service for generations to come.”
The second amendment would urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to reimburse the Port of Brownsville for the $27 million in advance funding that the Port provided for Segment B of the Brazos Island Harbor (BIH) Channel Improvement Project. This project will deepen the existing channel which will allow existing industries in the Rio Grande Valley to expand while also attracting new economic opportunities for the region.
“Time and time again, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez continues to deliver for South Texas. On behalf of the Port of Brownsville, we are grateful for his unwavering support and for being a true champion for our region. We look forward to collaborating with him and his office on transforming the economic landscape of the entire Rio Grande Valley,” said Esteban Guerra, Chairman of the Port of Brownsville.
The third amendment stresses the importance of increasing funding for the Army Corps of Engineers' Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account to assist coastal communities through flood prevention and improved emergency recovery from natural disasters.
###