Democratic Lawmakers Say Funding Shifts for Stalled Water Projects Have Political Motives

A congressional evaluation of building initiatives that can obtain continued funding below the U.S. Military Corps of Engineers’ fiscal 2025 work plan exhibits that the Trump administration steered funds to initiatives in Republican-leaning states and away from these in states thought of extra “blue,”—akin to California, Hawaii and Washington state. 

Based on the workplace of Senate Appropriations Committee Vice-Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the company shifted $437 million in funding from states with largely Democratic administrations within the fiscal 2026 presidential funds request, whereas allocating $258 million to so-called “purple” states—representing a 64% to 33% break up. It is a break from the standard protocol, the place funding for flood safety infrastructure initiatives throughout all states—no matter politics—are thought of in federal spending payments which have handed with bipartisan help, she stated at a Could 22 press briefing. 

Congressional appropriators usually work out every year in annual spending payments—by means of a protracted and sometimes laborious course of—which initiatives obtain funding. However the largely Republican-supported persevering with decision despatched to the White Home in March diminished funding for the Corps by $1.4 billion and gave vast latitude to the president in making the cuts. 

A livid Murray advised reporters: “President Trump’s Military Corps building plan totally tramples the entire cautious, painstaking negotiations we did in Congress to achieve a bipartisan understanding about what initiatives want funding, and replaces it together with his personal partisan imaginative and prescient.” She added: “By no means once more.” 

Tasks with funding minimize or zeroed-out embody a water storage and fish passage mission at Hanson Dam in King County, Wash., which had been set to obtain $500 million in fiscal 2025; and no less than 4 main flood-risk discount efforts in California. These embody the $2.03-billion Decrease San Joaquin River Basin mission that goals to boost flood safety for Stockton by upgrading 23 miles of levees and establishing two closure constructions; and one set to strengthen 42 miles of levees across the Natomas Basin.

Work in Limbo 

In October 2024, the Corps Seattle District awarded a $657-million water storage and fish passage mission to a three way partnership of contractors Flatiron and Aecon. Based on a district spokesperson, the mission continues to be throughout the absolutely funded design section. “The award of the development choice below that contract depends on receipt of extra funds,” she stated. The Corps presently is reviewing the design, which is at 80% completion. 

On a Could 16 name with reporters, Heather Pennington, Tacoma Public Utilities water superintendent, stated that her company was in discussions with the Corps concerning the present contract. “I do know that there’s hope to proceed work within the close to time period, however what is not presently funded and now will not be funded is unclear. We’re very involved about what is going to be capable of be accomplished and what the pause and impression will probably be if we do not safe extra funding.” 

Additionally on the decision was Thomas Keown, basic supervisor of the Covington Water District, based mostly in Kent, Wash., who stated the choice to tug funding for the dam “is shaping up as a waste of a superbly good shovel-ready mission that’s prone to be mothballed for who is aware of how lengthy.” 

On Could 21, Robyn Colosimo, performing assistant secretary of the Military for Civil Works, denied that funding shifts had been politically motivated. Noting the numerous cuts within the persevering with decision for Corps initiatives, high officers throughout the administration “made laborious decisions and had the discretion to do this,” she stated at a listening to earlier than a Home appropriations subcommittee. 

“I do consider these mirror the priorities of the administration,” she stated. “I consider they needed to make tradeoffs that I used to be not aware about.”