Budget Hearing – Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works) and the Bureau of Reclamation

House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies

2025-05-21

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This hearing examines the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation's fiscal year 2026 budget requests, which propose significant cuts—$2 billion for the Corps and $609 million for Reclamation—raising concerns about infrastructure resilience and water supply reliability. Witnesses explain that the Corps' budget would reduce funding for critical projects like the Chickamauga Lock and inland waterway maintenance, while Reclamation faces a 35% reduction that threatens existing Indian water rights settlements and drought-stricken western agriculture. Key issues discussed include the urgent need to combat invasive Asian carp, modernize aging infrastructure, and expand water recycling in the Colorado River Basin. Testimonies highlight bipartisan concerns about budget reductions undermining public safety, economic stability, and environmental protection, with calls for increased investment in water resource development and more transparent, nonpartisan budgeting processes.

Participants

Transcript

I know this seems like deja vu all over again, but this wonderful group was just before us just about a month or so ago, so always welcome back.  Thank you so much.  It's my pleasure to welcome Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Robin Colosimo.
Thank you.   and Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Lieutenant General Butch Graham, to discuss the fiscal year 2026.  And I think I forgot somebody, didn't I?   oh it's further down he took care of me okay uh let's say i'm equally pleased to welcome senior advisor to the secretary scott cameron mr cameron good morning sir to discuss the request for the bureau of reclamation and central utah project
We scheduled this hearing with the expectation that we would have the full budget request for these critical programs.  I appreciate the challenge facing any new administration in submitting a timely budget request to Congress.  However, we cannot do our work without those details.  I hope we can expect that information soon so that we can begin the important work of funding our nation's water resource development programs.   In the meantime, the administration has provided a top-line budget request for the Corps and Reclamation, highlighting specific areas where reductions are proposed.  The request for the Corps totals $6.7 billion, a reduction of $2 billion, or roughly 23%.   Within the total for the Corps, $1.7 billion is proposed for Harbor Maintenance Trust activities, which is approximately $1.8 billion below the maximum offset provided in law.  Consistent with prior years, the budget request does not maximize investment in our nation's ports and harbors.   One of my top priorities continuing the progress on the recapitalization of our nation's inland waterway system.  I was pleased to see a $32 million included in $32 million included in fiscal year 2025 work plan to award additional option for the final contract   at Chickamauga Lock, which is in my district.  I want to express my gratitude for the Trump administration's prioritization of this important project.  I look forward to working with our witnesses to get Chick Lock across the finish line.  In fact, I'm going to visit there again next week.  I appreciate the plan's robust investment and construction on the inland waterway system more broadly, and I hope the full fiscal year 2026 budget continues that support.   We expect significant out-year demands for this work, and the longer we wait to address today's need, the more difficult it will be to manage tomorrow's.
For the Bureau of Reclamation and Central Utah Project, the request proposes a total of $1.2 billion, a stated reduction of $609 million, or approximately 35% below the enacted level.  I'm concerned.   that at this level, we will not be able to address the most pressing water resources needs across the West.  Of particular concern is the ability to continue progress on existing Indian water rights settlements.  Upholding our nation's treaty and trust responsibilities is among the Department of Interior's highest priorities, and we cannot afford to fail delivering access to safe and reliable water supplies across Indian country.   We will wait for the details of the request to analyze the proposal's impact on farmers, ranchers, and households across the West that depend on Reclamation's water and power delivery mission.   I appreciate our witnesses for being here today to explain your budget requests and discuss the administration priorities for these agencies.  I look forward to working with you and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to develop a bill that addresses our nation's most pressing water resource development challenges.  With that, now I will turn to my friend, the distinguished ranking member, Ms. Kaptur, for her opening statement.
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Unknown (SPEAKER_10)
Ms. Kaptur.   Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  Good morning, everyone.  Thank you for joining us.  You build America, and we respect that.  I welcome this opportunity to examine recent actions for the budget requests for the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Thank you to our witnesses for devoting your lives to the nation and for joining us today.  Your agencies play a critical role in developing the resources of our land while mindful of our obligations to future generations.  Your vital work strengthens our economy, sustains life on earth, and ensures public safety against the now constant onslaught of both increasing natural and human-caused disasters   across our country, which is growing in population headed to a half a billion people.  For example, the Corps played a vital role in clearing the waterways after the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.  Thank you so much.  And you are currently carrying out wildfire debris removal in Los Angeles County.  Thank you for your exemplary service to our country.  You hold us together and all those who serve in the Corps and the Bureau.  The proposed cuts to the US Army Corps of Engineers   and the Bureau of Reclamation are not just misguided, they are dangerous.  Slashing their budgets and eroding their workforce endangers people's lives and public safety, undermines economic growth, and weakens our national

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