{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/mejia-secures-six-new-jersey-water-infrastructure-priorities-in-house-passed-bill", "Mejia Secures Six New Jersey Water Infrastructure Priorities in House-Passed Bill", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Analilia Mejia", "M001246", "mejia.house.gov", "mejia", "https://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release: September 21, 2026\n\nContact: Beth Wiesinger | NJ11AMPress@Mail.House.Gov\n\nThe bipartisan water resources bill includes provisions to advance flood protection, protect wetlands, address harmful algal blooms, and improve access to U.S. Army Corps programs across NJ-11\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) announced that six priorities she championed to strengthen flood protection and protect waterways across New Jersey\u2019s 11th Congressional District were included in the House-passed version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week by a vote of 415-9. The bill now awaits consideration by the Senate.\n\nThe legislation includes provisions directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to advance flood mitigation efforts along the Whippany River, Rockaway River, and Den Brook, and throughout the Passaic River Basin. It also expands support for natural flood protection, calls for additional federal attention to harmful algal blooms affecting Lake Hopatcong, and makes it easier for communities to navigate USACE programs and access technical assistance.\n\n\u201cFlooding is one of the greatest natural threats to families and businesses across New Jersey\u2014it is something our communities have experienced again and again. I fought to make sure that the voices of our communities were heard and that these initiatives moved forward,\u201d said Congresswoman Mejia. \u201cThese projects will help us better prepare for flooding, protect our waterways, and give local communities more tools to build the resilient infrastructure they need, before disaster strikes. I will continue working to make sure New Jersey gets its fair share of federal support as we confront the growing impacts of climate change.\u201d\n\nThe House-passed WRDA includes six priorities championed by Congresswoman Mejia:\n\nWhippany River Flooding: The bill directs USACE to expedite its ongoing study of flooding along the Whippany River, helping move the project closer to potential design, funding, and construction of flood-control improvements.\n\nRockaway River and Denville Flooding: The legislation calls for an update on efforts to reduce flooding along the Rockaway River and Den Brook, including solutions that can protect homes and businesses without relying solely on major construction projects.\n\nPassaic River Basin Flooding: WRDA directs USACE to accelerate its work on the Passaic River Basin and report on the status of flood-management efforts, helping identify projects that could provide flood protection while broader regional strategies continue to move forward.\n\nProtecting Wetlands and Natural Flood Protection: The bill expands support for wetlands, floodplains, green infrastructure, and other natural solutions that can reduce flooding and strengthen long-term resilience. These natural systems can absorb and store stormwater while complementing traditional infrastructure.\n\nLake Hopatcong and Harmful Algal Blooms: WRDA requires an update on USACE efforts to combat harmful algal blooms, with Lake Hopatcong identified as a priority area. Harmful algal blooms can threaten water quality, restrict recreational activities, and affect businesses that depend on the lake.\n\nMaking USACE Programs Easier for Towns to Use: The legislation includes reforms intended to provide communities with additional technical assistance and a more workable federal feasibility process. These changes can help smaller municipalities with limited staff and resources navigate USACE programs and advance local water infrastructure projects.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"]], "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://mejia.house.gov/media/press-releases/mejia-secures-six-new-jersey-water-infrastructure-priorities-in-house-passed-bill"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4069988392293453, "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"}