California Members of Congress Urge House Appropriators to Reject Funding Cuts for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; “We urge you to return to topline and project-specific funding levels that can achieve the strong, bipartisan support that USACE funding has historically had.”
Specifically excluded from the Budget request were four California projects which have previously received strong, unambiguous Congressional support. The four projects are: the American River Common Features, Natomas Basin, CA project; the Pajaro River at Watsonville, CA project; the San Joaquin River Basin project; and the West Sacramento, CA project. The FY25 President’s Budget and both the House and Senate draft FY25 appropriations bills all included a total of $126.4 million in construction funding for four projects before the Trump Administration prevented them from receiving any FY25 funding.
“Each of these projects has already received substantial federal funding to date. Leaving the projects half-finished would not be an efficient use of federal or non-federal resources...These projects are vital to the safety and prosperity of our constituents,” said the Congressmembers.
Full text of the letter can be found here. Joining Rep. Lofgren in sending the letter were Reps. Josh Harder (CA-09), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Ami Bera (CA-06), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Derek Tran (CA-45), Mike Levin (CA-49), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Ro Khanna (CA-17), and Jared Huffman (CA-02).
“Californians are all too familiar with the devastating consequences of poor flood risk management. In California’s 18th District, the community of Pajaro has suffered significant damage and loss of life due to flooding for decades. The Pajaro River Project is vital for the area’s safety and livelihood, and I will continue to fight to ensure it receives funding until its completion,” said Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation.
“Yanking flood protection funding at the last-minute makes no sense and puts our Valley communities at risk,” said Rep. Harder. “We face flood threats every year because of aging infrastructure and we worked across the aisle to finally get the flood protection we need. Now, Washington is trying to steal back funding for our levees, and I refuse to let them get away with it.”
“The Administration’s decision to omit the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project from the Army Corps’ work plan not only ignores the bipartisan support behind this project, but also puts lives, homes, and livelihoods in the Pajaro Valley at continued risk,” said Rep. Panetta. “That’s why our delegation is urging Congressional appropriators to reject these devastating cuts and fund the critical, shovel-ready flood protection projects that have already been vetted, authorized, and previously funded. As we’ve done before, we will keep fighting to protect the people and produce of the Pajaro Valley and ensure the federal government lives up to its commitment to our community.”
“It’s outrageous that the President is suggesting reducing Army Corps construction funding by 53 percent. The projects he proposes defunding include essential plans in California to repair and reconstruct levees and build and strengthen flood protection infrastructure. These projects have bipartisan support because our community knows too well the devastation from floods and other natural disasters. I urge our leaders on the Appropriations Committee to ensure that California’s Army Corps projects are fully funded in 2026,” said Congressman Mike Thompson.
“Sacramento County is one of the most at-risk areas in the nation for catastrophic flooding. In recent decades, we’ve seen firsthand how high-water events threaten our neighborhoods, small businesses, and critical infrastructure. The American River Common Features project in the Natomas Basin plays a vital role in strengthening levees to modern standards and ensuring that our region is better prepared for the future. Leaving this project unfunded not only puts Sacramento families in harm’s way—it risks wasting the significant progress and investments already made. We must keep our commitment to public safety by continuing to partner with the Army Corps of Engineers and fully funding these vital projects,” said Congressman Ami Bera.
“When it comes to the safety of our communities, politics needs to be put aside to build life-saving infrastructure improvements. That is how it has always been – and that is how it should stay,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “In Sacramento, we’ve long worked with the Army Corps—regardless of who is in the White House—to reduce flood risk and save lives. These partnerships have transformed our region’s outlook on disaster preparedness. That’s why I’ll keep fighting to restore funding for the Natomas Basin and West Sacramento projects that are critical to the future of the region.”
“The Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to the USACE will devastate communities across Orange and LA Counties that are still recovering from disastrous fires,” said Representative Tran. “Infrastructure capable of withstanding increased rainfall and flooding throughout California is essential to keeping our communities safe. I urge my colleagues to reject these drastic cuts and protect our neighbors from the impacts of serious flooding.”
“The President’s attempt to cut funding for critical infrastructure projects in California threatens our work to reduce flood risk, restore ecosystems, and support public safety on life support,” said Rep. Mike Levin. “Since entering Congress in 2019, I’ve fought to provide the Army Corps with the resources it needs to ensure our communities are safe and resilient, including funding to combat coastal erosion. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for necessary resources for California and push back against any attempts to play politics with vital infrastructure investments.”
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