WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released the following statement on his ongoing efforts to demand performance and accountability from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
“The Army Corps is hoarding tens of billions of dollars that have been appropriated and allocated but remain unspent. The current model feeds study after study, while projects get delayed, construction costs increase, and navigation benefits and flood protection go undelivered. It’s a broken model, and I’m committed to forcing change,” said Congressman Higgins.
In October of 2025, Congressman Higgins delivered a white paper to the White House and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), outlining proposed reforms to the USACE’s civil works mission. Congressman Higgins cites the Vermilion River, Morganza to the Gulf, and Southwest Coastal Louisiana projects as examples of USACE’s bureaucratic delays limiting construction. Read the full white paper here.
The white paper reads, “In the region I represent, the USACE is holding approximately $725 million in previously appropriated funds – some of which were initiated by Congress more than four years ago. Despite construction having been authorized long ago, these projects are being held up by USACE’s insistence on additional studies and environmental review.”
“These delays are injurious to our nation – perpetuating cost overruns, preventing important mitigation work, and jeopardizing economic benefits from proper maintenance of our water resources,” the proposal continues. “President Trump should use existing authorities to waive regulatory burdens and empower non-federal sponsors on USACE projects. I believe we can use executive authorities to unleash the largest construction endeavor in our nation’s history, rivaling that of the Works Progress Administration, without any new spending.”
Congressman Higgins added, “My office has engaged the Army Corps and the administration directly to seek significant reforms. However, the Corps’ Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork initiative, announced in February, falls short.”
“As we move forward with the FY27 appropriations process, I will not be using our limited number of community funding projects to send additional dollars to the Corps. They have a failing record of performance, and my office will continue to demand accountability. We’re seeking reforms that empower non-federal project sponsors and prioritize construction using previously appropriated funds,” concluded Congressman Higgins.
