NWC News Alert (September 8, 2025)

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FY2026 Appropriations, WRDA & Permitting Hearings on Deck

Sept. 8, 2025

Share Your Priorities for USACE Sessions at NWC’s Annual Meeting—Survey Closes Tuesday, Sept. 9 COB

As a reminder, NWC’s Annual Meeting in Norfolk will feature multiple sessions with USACE Headquarters, Division, and District Commanders and staff. These discussions are always a highlight, giving attendees the opportunity to hear directly from USACE leadership about both regional and national priorities. To ensure the conversations reflect your priorities and challenges, please take a few minutes to complete our short survey. Responses will be shared with USACE in advance of the meeting, without attribution, and the survey closes Tuesday, September 9, COB.  Survey can be found here: https://forms.office.com/r/ZVLzGQxBBH

Congress Enters Crunch Time on FY2026

With the fiscal year ending on September 30 and only about 11 legislative days on the calendar, appropriations remain the most pressing item in Washington. Last week, the House narrowly cleared the FY 2026 Energy and Water bill (H.R. 4553) by a 214 to 213 margin, advancing funding for the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Department of Energy (for more information, check out NWC’s Sept. 4 News Alert). This brings the House up to three passed appropriations bills. The Senate has also cleared three appropriations measures, though the chambers remain far apart on topline spending

Both House and Senate appropriators are moving additional spending bills this week as the new fiscal year approaches. The House Appropriations Committee will mark up its  Labor-HHS-Education bill on Tuesday and its Commerce-Justice-Science bill on Wednesday, while the Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to release a bipartisan Homeland Security proposal on Thursday.

At the same time, leadership talks are underway to prevent agencies from shutting down at the end of the month. Leaders in both parties have acknowledged that a continuing resolution will be necessary to avoid a government shutdown, but they are divided on how long it should last and what it should cover. The White House has urged an extension into early 2026, while House Republicans remain split over a short-term versus longer measure.

NDAA Push Gathers Steam

Alongside the appropriations process, Congress is pressing forward with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which remains one of the few must-pass bills each year. The NDAA sets defense policy and funding authorizations for the Department of Defense and related agencies, shaping everything from troop levels and pay raises to procurement of major weapons systems. This year’s bill has gained added urgency as congressional leaders aim to complete it before the end of the fiscal year to avoid slipping into the uncertainties of the broader appropriations debate. Negotiators are working to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions, which diverge on key issues including overall spending priorities, Ukraine aid, and social policy riders. The House Rules Committee is scheduled to review the bill today for potential House floor action this week. Leadership has emphasized that securing passage of the NDAA would not only provide stability for the armed forces but also demonstrate Congress’s ability to govern during a contentious budget season. For water stakeholders, the timing of NDAA deliberations is significant because it often competes with appropriations bills for floor time and political attention, potentially shaping how quickly other legislative priorities advance in September.

Telle and Graham Testifies Before House T&I on Wednesday

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET titled Water Resources Development Acts Implementation: Review and Oversight of Past Provisions. Testifying will be the Hon. Adam R. Telle, Assistant Secretary of the United States Army (Civil Works), and Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham Jr., Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The session will provide members with an opportunity to assess the implementation of past WRDA provisions and highlight ongoing Corps priorities. The hearing can be viewed live here.

Permitting Reform Hearing on Deck in House Resources

Permitting reform is back in the spotlight this week as the House Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10 a.m. to examine legislation aimed at overhauling the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On the docket is Westerman’s H.R. 4776, the “Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act,” co-sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine). The hearing will also consider H.R. 573, the “Studying NEPA’s Impact on Projects Act,” from Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), and H.R. 4503, the “ePermit Act,” from Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). Supporters argue the bills would reduce litigation and streamline reviews by redefining “major federal action,” while Democrats have criticized the proposals as weakening environmental protections and public input. The debate highlights the broader uncertainty over whether a bipartisan deal on permitting – balancing pipelines, transmission, and clean energy priorities – can advance this fall. The hearing can be viewed live here.

Water Coordination Committee Meets – Plans Next Meeting

The Western Water Coordination Committee (WWCC) – established under WRDA 2022 to improve alignment among the Corps, Bureau of Reclamation, and state and local partners – held its first organizational call last week. Looking ahead, the committee is planning an in-person session from December 1–5 in Bismarck, North Dakota, to deepen coordination on shared water and flood-control challenges.