Buford, GA — U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde is applauding House passage of a major federal spending package that includes multiple provisions affecting Lake Lanier, calling the measures a significant win for Northeast Georgia.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 6938 on Tuesday by a 397–28 vote. The bill packages several appropriations measures, including the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act. Lake Lanier-related provisions are included in Division B, which covers Energy and Water Development.
“The critical provisions related to Lake Lanier in the FY26 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill represent a momentous victory for Northeast Georgia,” Clyde said in a statement. “For years, I’ve worked to use every tool at my disposal to secure measures that preserve and improve our beloved landmark for locals and visitors alike.”
Among the provisions included in the House-passed bill is Section 109, which allows local partners managing multiple recreation sites at a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works project to use collected user fees across all sites at that project. Previously, those fees were restricted to the specific location where they were collected.
The change is intended to give local governments more flexibility to keep parks open, staffed and maintained at Lake Lanier, one of the most visited Corps-managed lakes in the country.
The provision mirrors legislation previously introduced by Clyde and Rep. Rich McCormick, known as the Lanier Parks Local Access Act, which seeks to incentivize local management of recreation areas at federal water projects.
In addition, report language accompanying the FY26 Energy and Water Development bill includes a provision requested by Clyde that would prohibit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from using federal funds to rename Buford Dam or Lake Sidney Lanier.
“None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to carry out any action altering the designation of Buford Dam and Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia,” the report states, citing the original congressional authorization in Public Law 84-457.
The naming language stems from concerns raised after the Corps identified Lake Lanier and Buford Dam in 2023 as sites subject to potential renaming under a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.
Clyde has opposed any name changes, arguing they would create confusion and undermine the lake’s historical and economic significance to the region. He said the House-passed bill brings those efforts “one step closer to becoming law” and delivering tangible benefits to Ninth District families, businesses and local governments.
The appropriations package now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.