A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the use of funds for certain additional Carey Act projects, and for other purposes.
Key claim: S1257 would amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize use of funds for certain additional Carey Act projects and was ordered reported favorably by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Abstract
(S1257 · 119th Congress) Latest action (2026-07-29): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Why this matters
The Carey Act of 1894 remains a legal framework for arid-land irrigation and reclamation in western states, and expanding IIJA fund eligibility to additional Carey Act projects could channel federal infrastructure dollars to on-the-ground irrigation works that support farmers in water-scarce regions. For growers, expanded project eligibility may improve water reliability and reduce the risk of prevented planting; consumer food-price effects are indirect and depend on which crops and regions benefit. Status is early — ordered reported favorably by the Senate ENR Committee but not yet passed.