RELEASE: Harder Demands Restoration of Flood-Control Funding

Administration budget proposal includes 53% cut to construction project funding

1,100 miles of levees need repairs along the Delta 
 

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) demanded a reversal of proposed cuts to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) flood protection projects, including the San Joaquin River Basin Project in Stockton. The Administration’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) is 53% lower than previously enacted levels, and excludes funding for vital flood prevention projects in the Valley and across California.

Proposed cuts come at a crisis moment in Valley flood mitigation:

• The Delta region faces a greater flood risk than New Orleans did before Hurricane Katrina.
• In Stockton alone, over 90% of properties are at risk during a major flood event.
• More than 1,100 miles of Delta levees need repairs.

“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.”

In his letter Harder urged Washington to:

• Reject the 53% cuts to USACE projects.
• Fully fund USACE flood risk mitigation efforts.
• Protect projects like the San Joaquin River Basin project.

Read the full letter here.

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