PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · Dec 8, 2020
Water Resources Development Act of 2020
This bill addresses water resources infrastructure funding as well as Army Corps of Engineers projects for navigation, flood risk management, and ecosystem restoration.
The bill removes from annual discretionary spending limits funds appropriated from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) for harbor operations and maintenance purposes, up to a specified amount. This allows additional funds from the HMTF to be appropriated for these purposes without these amounts counting against annual discretionary spending limits.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Similarly, the bill removes from annual discretionary spending limits in FY2021-FY2030 funds appropriated for harbor maintenance activities at certain donor ports or energy transfer ports, up to a specified amount.
Further, the bill expands the eligible uses of HMTF funds to include maintenance dredging at certain emerging harbors.
In addition, the bill modifies cost-sharing requirements for the construction of inland waterway navigation projects.
The bill also establishes various pilot programs to address issues including flood risk management and hurricane and storm damage risk reduction in rural or economically disadvantaged communities.
Additionally, the bill establishes programs for controlling certain invasive species.
The bill also creates a process to deauthorize certain projects that are no longer viable for construction and authorizes new projects for purposes including navigation, flood risk management, and ecosystem restoration.
People & committees
Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] · R–WY
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6935-6977)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1811.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6935-6984)
Mr. DeFazio moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S4776)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.(text: CR S4776)
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4776)
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4776)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.1811 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.1811 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.1811 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.1811 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.