Jan. 23, 14th District Congressman Randy Weber, in a press release, announced more than $30 million has been secured for critical projects in Texas 14th District after the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026.
Locally, among the more than $30 million secured, $9,061,000 is for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) construction account to deepen the Sabine-Neches Waterway from its current 40-foot depth to its congressionally authorized 48-foot depth, as authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2014.
Also, $5 million is for USACE’s investigations account to advance pre-construction engineering and design for the Texas Coastal Project, locally known as the Ike Dike. This funding supports a comprehensive coastal resiliency strategy to reduce flood risk and restore ecosystems along the Texas coast.
Estimates show the project could generate $2.31 billion in annual economic savings and improve more than 6,000 acres of coastal habitat.
The funding also includes:
• $17,900,000 to USACE for operation and maintenance dredging of the Galveston Ship Channel as identified in the President’s Budget Request. Maintaining authorized depths in the Galveston Ship Channel is essential to supporting port reliability, supply chain efficiency, and the continued movement of energy and commerce that underpin America’s economic and national security.
• $1,250,000 for Texas A&M AgriLife Research to support oyster research and the development of a long-term breeding program for the rapidly expanding Texas Gulf Coast oyster aquaculture industry. This investment will strengthen domestic seafood production, reduce pressure on vulnerable wild fisheries, and advance marine aquaculture as a growing sector of Texas agriculture.
“Southeast Texas is a gateway to our nation’s economic and strategic strength, and advancing projects of this scale requires sustained effort,” said Weber.
