{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://figures.house.gov/media/press-releases/figures-secures-authorization-50-million-strengthen-water-infrastructure", "Figures Secures Authorization of $50 Million to Strengthen Water Infrastructure Across Alabama and a Ban on Dumping Mud Material in Mobile Bay", "2026-07-14", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "AL", "Shomari Figures", "F000481", "figures.house.gov", "figures", "https://figures.house.gov/media", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Shomari C. Figures (AL-02) announced that he secured a provision in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 authorizing $50 million in federal funding to address critical water and wastewater infrastructure across the Second Congressional District. The bill passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today and will now advance to the House floor for a vote.\n\n\u201cSafe and clean water is a right in this country, and it\u2019s our responsibility to provide the resources that are essential to make this a reality for communities across America,\u201d said Congressman Figures. \u201cFrom infrastructure issues plaguing Prichard, to wastewater issues in the Black Belt, to aging water treatment equipment in East Alabama, cities and towns in rural areas will be able to access funding to make critical updates to their infrastructure. As the sole Alabama member on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, I\u2019m proud to secure these wins for our state to ensure our communities receive the federal attention and investment they deserve.\u201d\n\nWRDA provides Members of Congress the opportunity every two years to authorize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works (Army Corps) projects to improve the nation\u2019s ports and harbors, the inland waterway navigation network, flood and storm protection, and other water resources infrastructure. Funding must still be provided through the annual appropriations process before work can proceed.\n\nBlack Belt and East Alabama\n\nCongressman Figures secured $40 million for public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in all 12 counties in the Second Congressional District. Counties interested in funding for their water projects would need to collaborate with the Army Corps. For example:\n\nButler County could use funding to address persistent wastewater issues.\n\nRussell County could use funding to improve stormwater management after torrential weather.\n\nBullock County could use funding to update aging water treatment plants.\n\nMobile\n\nCongressman Figures also secured legislative victories to address longstanding infrastructure priorities specifically for Mobile, including a ban on dumping dredge material into Mobile Bay and an additional $10 million for Brookley by the Bay.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m very proud that this bill will include my amendment to ban dumping thin-layer dredge material into Mobile Bay,\u201d said Congressman Figures. \u201cDumping of this material into the Bay has been a threat to wildlife, fishing and small businesses. Through this bill, we can restore and protect one of our nation\u2019s most vital estuaries for years to come.\u201d", 1, "2026-07-15T07:12:08Z", "2026-07-15T07:13:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://figures.house.gov/media/press-releases/figures-secures-authorization-50-million-strengthen-water-infrastructure"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9217481128871441, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}