Introduced in House — H.R. 7519

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7519

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 11, 2026

Mr. Torres of New York (for himself and Mr. Latimer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To require the District Commanders of the Corps of Engineers to provide to offices of Members of Congress annual briefings on projects funded or led by the Corps of Engineers in watersheds within such district, and for other purposes.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be referred to as the Army Corps Congressional Engagement Act.

Sec. 2. Annual briefings on Corps of Engineers projects within United States watersheds

(a) Annual briefing

For each calendar year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the District Commander of each district of the Corps of Engineers shall provide to each office of a Member of Congress for which the respective congressional district is located, fully or partially, in the district of the Corps of Engineers, an annual briefing, virtually or in-person at the discretion of the District Commander—

(1)

regarding each project that is—

(A)

located in the district of the Corps of Engineers and, fully or partially, in the respective congressional district;

(B)

fully or partially located within a watershed; and

(C)

funded, partially funded, led, or partially led by the Corps of Engineers, or on which the Corps of Engineers has consulted during the period covered by the report;

(2)

conveying for each such project—

(A)

the location, including identification of any other congressional districts in which the project is being carried out;

(B)

the status and progress towards project completion;

(C)

any delays, or potential delays, in the project timeline;

(D)

the amount of funding expended by the Corps of Engineers, total and for the period covered by the report;

(E)

an estimation any additional funds required to complete the project;

(F)

a list of project expenses for which funds were expended by the Corps of Engineers, since project inception and for the period covered by the report;

(G)

a summary of any environmental impacts of the project and any identifiable impacts of the project on the community local to the project;

(H)

a summary of any engagement between the Corps of Engineers and a non-Federal sponsor or the public with respect to the project; and

(I)

any opportunities identified by the District Commander for a related study or project authorization that may be carried out in the same congressional district in which the project is being carried out;

(3)

detailing any request for additional appropriations for use in one or more such projects; and

(4)

that includes a period during which the Member of Congress and staff of the office may ask questions regarding any project being carried out in the congressional district of the Member.

(b) Failure to brief

(1) Written statement

For each calendar year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, if a District Commander has not provided an annual briefing required under subsection (a) by December 1 of the calendar year, the District Commander shall, prior to December 31 of the calendar year, submit to each office of a Member of Congress the District Commander has yet to brief as required under subsection (a) a written statement that includes—

(A)

an explanation of why the briefing has not occurred;

(B)

indication of whether the District Commander has contacted the office about scheduling the briefing; and

(C)

a description of how the District Commander plans to ensure that the briefing is scheduled as soon as possible.

(2) Investigation

If a District Commander fails to submit a written statement required under paragraph (1), not later than 30 day after the date on which the written statement was due, the Inspector General of the Army shall submit to each office of a Member of Congress the District Commander has yet to brief as required under subsection (a) and the relevant Congressional Committees a report containing—

(A)

the results of an investigation of the Inspector General as to why the briefing did not occur during the calendar year in which it was required; and

(B)

recommendations of the Inspector General to facilitate and ensure the briefing takes place as soon as possible.

(c) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Member of Congress

The term Member of Congress includes a Delegate to Congress and a Resident Commissioner to Congress.

(2) Relevant Congressional Committees

The term relevant Congressional Committees means—

(A)

the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives;

(B)

the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;

(C)

the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate; and

(D)

the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.