H.R. 6422House119th Congress (2025-2027)Passed House

American Water Stewardship Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated March 27, 2026 at 3:01 AM UTC

The American Water Stewardship Act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend the authorization of several EPA geographic water programs through fiscal year 2031 and to tighten how federal funds can be used. It updates program timelines, funding structures, and reporting requirements for initiatives such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Long Island Sound, Columbia River Basin, and others, while restricting funds from going to entities linked to foreign countries of concern.

Key Provisions

Extends the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Long Island Sound program, and Columbia River Basin Restoration to run through FY 2031.
Modifies the San Francisco Bay Restoration Program to cap project funding at 75% of total costs and require at least 25% non‑federal cost share.
Adds Mississippi Sound to the National Estuary Program and sets funding eligibility limits for FY 2026‑2027, including a minimum increase requirement for FY 2027.
Updates the coastal recreation water quality monitoring program to allow states to identify specific contamination sources and extends grant periods to FY 2026‑2031, while broadening the definition of coastal recreation waters.
Prohibits federal funds for the listed programs from being provided to any non‑federal entity tied to a foreign country of concern or for projects with such foreign involvement.
Requires the Comptroller General to report within two years on the efficiency, effectiveness, and coordination of all EPA geographic programs, with recommendations for improvement.

Legislative Activity

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16 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

March 25, 2026

View full timeline

HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 4, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

December 4, 2025

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee

December 5, 2025

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

December 18, 2025

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

December 18, 2025

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

December 18, 2025

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-564.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

March 20, 2026

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 485.

March 20, 2026

HouseFloor

Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

March 24, 2026 • 5:08 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2662-2665)

March 24, 2026 • 5:08 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6422.

March 24, 2026 • 5:08 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

March 24, 2026 • 5:17 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2665-2666)

March 24, 2026 • 6:30 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 32 (Roll no. 97).

View vote Passed

March 24, 2026 • 6:56 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 32 (Roll no. 97). (text: CR H2662-2663)

View vote Passed

March 24, 2026 • 6:56 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

March 24, 2026 • 6:56 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

March 25, 2026

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

March 24, 2026 at 6:56 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

378 - 32

Floor Debate

8 members

What members said about H.R. 6422 on the floor

3 Republicans5 Democrats

Rep. Monica De La CruzR-TX-15 · Dec 16, 2025

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions, as follows: H.R. 116: Mr. Jack. H.R. 154: Mr. Landsman. H.R. 158: Mr. Landsman. H.R. 220: Ms. Escobar. H.R. 251: Mr.…

Under clause 7 of rule XII, sponsors were added to public bills and resolutions, as follows:

H.R. 116: Mr. Jack.

H.R. 154: Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 158: Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 220: Ms. Escobar.

H.R. 251: Mr. Jack.

H.R. 253: Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 282: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 349: Mr. Min and Ms. Escobar.

H.R. 397: Mr. Jeffries.

H.R. 429: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 438: Mr. Riley of New York.

H.R. 485: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 488: Ms. McDonald Rivet and Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 498: Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 516: Mr. Norman.

H.R. 520: Mr. Min.

H.R. 539: Mrs. Trahan.

H.R. 585: Mr. Riley of New York.

H.R. 718: Mr. Neguse.

H.R. 821: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 865: Mr. Riley of New York.

H.R. 869: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 879: Mr. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas and Ms. Balint.

H.R. 921: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 945: Ms. Bynum, Ms. McDonald Rivet, and Ms. Pingree.

H.R. 953: Mr. Min.

H.R. 1027: Mr. Subramanyam.

H.R. 1054: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 1055: Mr. Subramanyam.

H.R. 1078: Mr. Sessions and Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 1110: Ms. Perez.

H.R. 1162: Mr. Gill of Texas.

H.R. 1175: Ms. Balint.

H.R. 1181: Mr. Nunn of Iowa and Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 1241: Mr. Jack and Ms. Mace.

H.R. 1246: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 1254: Ms. Pingree.

H.R. 1277: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 1285: Mr. Wied.

H.R. 1329: Ms. Strickland, Ms. McBride, Mrs. Hayes, Ms.

Ansari, Mr. Crow, Ms. Gillen, Mr. Landsman, and Mr. McDowell.

H.R. 1361: Mr. Tran.

H.R. 1369: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 1394: Mr. Tonko.

H.R. 1398: Mrs. Kim.

H.R. 1404: Ms. Escobar.

H.R. 1412: Mr. Lawler.

H.R. 1421: Mr. Tran.

H.R. 1464: Mr. Thompson of California.

H.R. 1475: Mr. Neguse.

H.R. 1492: Mr. Smith of Nebraska.

H.R. 1502: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 1522: Mr. McGarvey.

H.R. 1529: Ms. Balint.

H.R. 1546: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 1564: Mr. Harder of California.

H.R. 1576: Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 1628: Ms. Salazar, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Mr.

Brecheen, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Norcross.

H.R. 1659: Mr. Riley of New York and Mr. Sorensen.

H.R. 1661: Ms. Balint and Mr. Keating.

H.R. 1695: Mr. Sorensen.

H.R. 1775: Mr. Moran.

H.R. 1810: Mr. Morelle.

H.R. 1960: Mr. Min.

H.R. 1983: Ms. Norton.

H.R. 1986: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 1991: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 1993: Mr. Crenshaw, Mrs. Hinson, and Ms. Davids of

Kansas.

H.R. 2028: Mr. Conaway.

H.R. 2036: Mr. Kean and Mr. Casten.

H.R. 2055: Ms. Morrison.

H.R. 2062: Mr. Moore of North Carolina.

H.R. 2068: Mr. Neguse.

H.R. 2094: Mr. Sorensen.

H.R. 2141: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 2152: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 2154: Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 2165: Mr. LaHood.

H.R. 2192: Mr. Nadler and Mr. Bera.

H.R. 2199: Mr. Feenstra.

H.R. 2232: Mr. Riley of New York.

H.R. 2244: Mr. Neguse.

H.R. 2253: Ms. Kamlager-Dove.

H.R. 2257: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 2315: Mr. Jack.

H.R. 2370: Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 2402: Mr. Cisneros and Ms. Sewell.

H.R. 2467: Ms. Lofgren.

H.R. 2496: Mr. Messmer.

H.R. 2531: Mr. Casar.

H.R. 2672: Mr. Min.

H.R. 2678: Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Ms. Ross, and Mr.

McGovern.

H.R. 2680: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 2703: Mr. Quigley.

H.R. 2705: Mr. Jack and Ms. Mace.

H.R. 2716: Mrs. Miller-Meeks.

H.R. 2718: Mrs. Foushee.

H.R. 2727: Ms. Escobar.

H.R. 2728: Mr. Fields.

H.R. 2731: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 2736: Ms. Johnson of Texas.

H.R. 2799: Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania.

H.R. 2829: Ms. Salinas.

H.R. 2878: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 2902: Mrs. Hayes.

H.R. 2941: Mr. Sorensen.

H.R. 2947: Ms. Simon.

H.R. 2986: Mr. Quigley.

H.R. 3028: Ms. Johnson of Texas.

H.R. 3184: Ms. Lofgren and Mr. Turner of Ohio.

H.R. 3206: Mr. Reschenthaler.

H.R. 3246: Mr. Min.

H.R. 3261: Mr. Casar.

H.R. 3277: Mr. Vasquez.

H.R. 3316: Mr. Carson.

H.R. 3333: Mr. Thanedar.

H.R. 3337: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 3350: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 3367: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 3447: Mr. Cline and Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 3497: Mr. Correa, Ms. Salazar, Ms. Lois Frankel of

Florida, Ms. Lee of Florida, Mr. Schmidt, and Mr.

Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 3513: Mr. Larson of Connecticut.

H.R. 3514: Mr. Menendez.

H.R. 3526: Mrs. Miller-Meeks.

H.R. 3534: Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 3565: Ms. Salinas.

H.R. 3604: Mr. Goldman of New York.

H.R. 3629: Mr. Vasquez.

H.R. 3694: Mr. Case.

H.R. 3699: Mr. Huizenga.

H.R. 3740: Ms. Balint and Ms. Lofgren.

H.R. 3791: Mr. Neguse.

H.R. 3793: Mr. Goldman of New York.

H.R. 3858: Mr. Hunt.

H.R. 3867: Mr. Rutherford.

H.R. 3868: Mr. Neal.

H.R. 3885: Ms. Lee of Nevada.

H.R. 3931: Ms. Davids of Kansas.

H.R. 3959: Mr. Sessions.

H.R. 4083: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 4130: Mr. Sessions.

H.R. 4141: Mr. Min.

H.R. 4151: Mr. Carter of Louisiana.

H.R. 4164: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 4167: Mr. Mackenzie.

H.R. 4169: Ms. Perez.

H.R. 4176: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 4194: Mr. Williams of Texas.

H.R. 4206: Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Rutherford, and

Ms. De La Cruz.

H.R. 4231: Mr. Smith of Washington.

H.R. 4242: Mr. Murphy.

H.R. 4291: Mr. Self.

H.R. 4299: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 4317: Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania, Mr. Babin, and Mr.

Davis of North Carolina.

H.R. 4464: Mr. Conaway.

H.R. 4521: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 4582: Mr. Levin, Mr. Thompson of California, and Ms.

Escobar.

H.R. 4583: Mr. Levin, Mr. Thompson of California, and Ms.

Escobar.

H.R. 4585: Mr. Vasquez.

H.R. 4606: Mr. Crow.

H.R. 4611: Ms. Friedman.

H.R. 4640: Mr. Goldman of New York.

H.R. 4646: Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 4660: Mr. Harder of California and Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 4662: Mr. Takano, Mr. Whitesides, Mr. Vargas, Mr.

Lieu, Mr. Levin, Ms. Lofgren, and Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 4677: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 4710: Mr. Moran.

H.R. 4721: Mr. Neguse.

H.R. 4810: Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 4821: Mr. Neal.

H.R. 4921: Mr. Cisneros.

H.R. 4945: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 4950: Mr. Landsman.

H.R. 4982: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 4989: Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 5068: Ms. Johnson of Texas.

H.R. 5106: Mr. Langworthy.

H.R. 5235: Ms. Perez.

H.R. 5263: Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 5269: Ms. Pou and Mr. Edwards.

H.R. 5271: Ms. Ross, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Swalwell, and Mr.

Beyer.

H.R. 5282: Mr. Neguse and Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 5309: Ms. Pressley, Ms. McDonald Rivet, Ms. Pingree,

and Ms. Rivas.

H.R. 5387: Mr. Min.

H.R. 5390: Ms. Pou and Mr. Meeks.

H.R. 5415: Mr. Harrigan, Mr. Kelly of Pennsylvania, Ms.

Ross, and Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania.

H.R. 5434: Ms. Meng, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Soto, and Ms. Pingree.

H.R. 5438: Mrs. Harshbarger and Mr. Perry.

H.R. 5461: Ms. Friedman.

H.R. 5469: Ms. McDonald Rivet and Mr. Conaway.

H.R. 5509: Ms. Gillen, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Davis of

North Carolina, Mr. Correa, and Mrs. Luna.

H.R. 5521: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 5543: Mr. Whitesides.

H.R. 5638: Mr. Begich.

H.R. 5641: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 5767: Mr. Williams of Texas and Mr. Babin.

H.R. 5791: Ms. DelBene.

H.R. 5835: Ms. Randall.

H.R. 5861: Mrs. Dingell.

H.R. 5867: Ms. Escobar.

H.R. 5870: Mr. Obernolte.

H.R. 5910: Ms. Ansari.

H.R. 5934: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 5939: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 5940: Ms. Pingree.

H.R. 5951: Mr. Thompson of California.

H.R. 5972: Mr. Cleaver.

H.R. 5983: Ms. Jayapal.

H.R. 5993: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6006: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6020: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 6056: Mr. Crow, Mr. Aguilar, Ms. Sewell, and Mr.

Morelle.

H.R. 6093: Ms. Budzinski.

H.R. 6099: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6108: Ms. Pingree.

H.R. 6109: Ms. Pingree.

H.R. 6110: Ms. Pingree.

H.R. 6111: Ms. Pingree.

H.R. 6119: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6121: Mr. Owens and Ms. Norton.

H.R. 6123: Ms. King-Hinds.

H.R. 6126: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6128: Mr. Soto.

H.R. 6130: Mr. Soto, Mr. Neguse, and Mrs. Hayes.

H.R. 6152: Mr. Min.

H.R. 6164: Mr. Aguilar.

H.R. 6170: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6181: Mr. Bera, Ms. Balint, Mr. Torres of New York,

and Mr. Aguilar.

H.R. 6182: Ms. Escobar.

H.R. 6213: Mr. Owens.

H.R. 6219: Mr. Smith of New Jersey.

H.R. 6228: Mr. Garcia of California.

H.R. 6231: Mr. Murphy and Ms. Brownley.

H.R. 6245: Ms. Escobar.

H.R. 6259: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6261: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6268: Mr. Krishnamoorthi.

H.R. 6293: Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 6366: Mr. Obernolte and Ms. Ross.

H.R. 6422: Mr. LaLota.

H.R. 6425: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6432: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6434: Ms. McBride and Mr. Goldman of New York.

H.R. 6436: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6440: Mr. Garcia of Illinois and Ms. DelBene.

H.R. 6444: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6448: Ms. Plaskett.

H.R. 6449: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

H.R. 6450: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6468: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6475: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6498: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6501: Ms. Wilson of Florida.

H.R. 6521: Mr. Vargas.

H.R. 6529: Mr. Thanedar.

H.R. 6541: Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 6543: Mr. Vindman.

H.R. 6546: Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 6547: Mr. Foster and Mr. Rose.

H.R. 6550: Mr. Rose, Mr. Sessions, and Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 6551: Mr. Gottheimer.

H.R. 6552: Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Sessions, and Mr. Davidson.

H.R. 6553: Mr. Sessions and Mr. Nunn of Iowa.

H.R. 6554: Mr. Sessions and Mr. Nunn of Iowa.

H.R. 6555: Mr. Gottheimer.

H.R. 6556: Mr. Gottheimer.

H.R. 6574: Mr. Goldman of New York, Ms. DelBene, Mr.

Subramanyam, Ms. Meng, Ms. Plaskett, Mrs. Dingell, Ms.

Pingree, Ms. Titus, and Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania.

H.R. 6597: Mrs. McClain Delaney.

H.R. 6608: Mr. Bacon.

H.R. 6624: Mr. Gill of Texas and Mrs. McClain Delaney.

H.R. 6670: Mr. Haridopolos and Mr. Goldman of New York.

H.R. 6675: Mr. Gill of Texas.

H.R. 6677: Mr. Case.

H.R. 6678: Mr. Fitzpatrick.

H.R. 6707: Mrs. Miller of West Virginia.

H.R. 6724: Mr. Mannion.

H.J. Res. 13: Ms. Bonamici.

H. Con. Res. 12: Mr. Dunn of Florida and Mr. Tran.

H. Con. Res. 64: Ms. Goodlander, Mr. Espaillat, and Ms.

Hoyle of Oregon.

H. Res. 297: Ms. Budzinski.

H. Res. 381: Mr. Conaway.

H. Res. 704: Mr. Thanedar.

H. Res. 733: Mr. Conaway.

H. Res. 843: Mr. Smith of New Jersey.

H. Res. 931: Ms. McDonald Rivet.

Rep. Shomari FiguresD-AL-2 · Mar 24, 2026

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6422, the American Water Stewardship Act, as amended, a bipartisan bill that combines several…

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6422, the American Water Stewardship Act, as amended, a bipartisan bill that combines several standalone bills that all have broad support.

I am proud to have sponsored the ESTUARIES Act, which reauthorizes the National Estuary Program and is included in section 6 of this bill. The National Estuary Program is an important resource supporting locally led efforts to restore and protect the environmental health of estuaries of national significance, one of which is in my district and my hometown, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program.

H.R. 6422, as amended, reauthorizes several other EPA programs that have strong bipartisan support due to their proven success. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative covers a wide geographic area and works to protect and restore the country's largest source of freshwater.

Other programs include the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, as well as the BEACH Act, which Representative Pallone has championed for years.

I, again, recognize my Democratic committee colleagues, Representatives McDonald Rivet, Scholten, Sykes, Gillen, Hoyle, Brownley, Pappas, Huffman, Moulton, Pou, and Norton--there are a lot of us--for their leadership on this comprehensive package, and my Republican colleagues, as well.

Reauthorizing each of these EPA programs will allow them the Federal support that they need to continue the comprehensive, complex work that they do locally to restore and protect local aquatic ecosystems.

The health of our water resources supports the health of our communities by providing flood protection, storing clean water, and supporting our water-based economies.

Madam Speaker, I support the American Water Stewardship Act, as amended, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

To date, the National Estuary Program covers 28 unique coastal habitats nationwide, and with passage of this, it would add another one. The Columbia River Basin is one of our largest watersheds. The Great Lakes are the largest system of fresh surface water in the world. The Long Island Sound provides benefits to millions of residents in New York and Connecticut, and it is habitat to more than 1,200 invertebrates, 170 species of fish, and dozens of species of migratory birds.

These water bodies are worth protecting, and there are major economic, recreational, and human health benefits to restoring them all.

Further, as the weather warms up, I know we are all looking forward to visiting our favorite beaches and coastal areas, which means that we need to know that our coastal waters are safe from contaminants. This bill pulls together reauthorizations of five critical programs, all of which are broadly supported by Members on both sides of the aisle.

The bill provides these programs with 5 additional years of flat funding and also ensures the GAO evaluates the continued success of each of EPA's geographic programs. The American Water Stewardship Act is just that: thoughtful stewardship of our most critical water resources.

Madam Speaker, I support this bill, as amended, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Gwen MooreD-WI-4 · Mar 24, 2026

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of legislation before the House today reauthorizing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative or GLRI. The Great Lakes form the largest surface freshwater system on…

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of legislation before the House today reauthorizing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative or GLRI.

The Great Lakes form the largest surface freshwater system on Earth. More than 30 million people live in the Great Lakes basin and their daily activities directly affect these bodies of water.

One of my top priorities as a member of Congress has been, and remains, ensuring that we protect the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes face numerous challenges, including the growing threat from invasive species, ongoing development, and pollution of the waters by toxic chemicals.

That is why I have consistently supported programs like the GLRI which address some of the most pressing issues facing the Great Lakes. Created by President Obama, the GLRI has helped focus federal efforts and funds on the threats facing the Great Lakes. Just in my home state of Wisconsin, more than $962 million through the GLRI, has made over 1,300 projects possible throughout the Great Lakes basin.

The GLRI is helping protect our environment while driving our economy. Businesses are opening up again along or near waterways

that have long been neglected. The reduction of beneficial use impairments are allowing fisherman and others to return to areas that for a long time have been off limits.

Among the greatest strengths of this initiative has been its strong bipartisan support. Members of the region from both sides of the aisle have rallied to this program. And it has been effective. For example, since its creation, work around the U.S. Areas of Concerns--or AOC's-- has accelerated. These areas are the focus of comprehensive cleanup and restoration efforts because they have been seriously degraded by pollution and contaminants.

As of October 2025, eight AOCs have been delisted and an additional nine AOCs have completed all management actions necessary for delisting. I know that work is happening at the AOC in my district, the Milwaukee Estuary, which I hope will soon join that list. Industrial activities have caused toxic pollution to accumulate in the sediments at the bottom of over 12 miles of Milwaukee's rivers and the Lake Michigan harbor. The GLRI supported cleanup will improve public health and safety, provide clean water, bring back healthy fish and wildlife, and enhance economic and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

The GLRI is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026 and it is clear that we can't afford to lose the progress or stop the momentum it has unleashed across the Great Lakes region.

I support the reauthorization of this program through FY 2031.

I am disappointed that this legislation does not, however, include an increase in the authorized funding level to $500 million. Failing to make the necessary investments in restoring and protecting the Great Lakes will cost us much more in the long run. Trust me.

I know that this oversight doesn't signal a lack of resolve on my part to keep fighting for the highest possible funding for this program each year.

I urge support of this legislation.

Rep. David J. TaylorR-OH-2 · Mar 24, 2026

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6422) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain EPA geographic programs, and for other purposes, as…

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6422) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain EPA geographic programs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 6422, as amended.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 6422, as amended, reauthorizes several longstanding EPA programs through fiscal year 2031, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Long Island Sound Program, the Colombia River Basin Restoration Program, the National Estuary Program, and the BEACH Act Program, among others.

It also includes strong oversight provisions, requiring the GAO to study the management, effectiveness, and ethical practices of these and additional EPA geographic programs and report back to Congress.

Additionally, the programs included in H.R. 6422 have bipartisan support. This legislation includes the ESTUARIES Act, which would reauthorize the National Estuary Program that helps local communities protect important estuaries and improve water quality, and the BEACH Act, which would reauthorize a program that helps local communities keep Americans recreating in coastal waters, safe from diseases and pollution.

I am proud to say that these bills were previously reported out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with strong bipartisan support and that H.R. 6422 was approved by voice vote.

Madam Speaker, it is our constituents on the ground who know what is best for their communities. Reauthorizing these programs will continue to empower them to address water quality and pollution issues where they live,

yielding better results for all Americans.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of H.R. 6422, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 6422, the American Water Stewardship Act, is an important bipartisan bill that will empower local communities to continue to take the lead on improving water quality in coastal areas, as well as to ensure strong oversight of these EPA programs by Congress.

I thank Mr. Stauber and Ms. McDonald Rivet for their leadership on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as Representatives Joyce, Larsen, Figures, Rouzer, Sykes, Huffman, Bonamici, LaLota, Pallone, Ezell, Scholten, Mast, Haridopolos, and Hoyle for their leadership on specific initiatives contained within

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Rep. Pete StauberR-MN-8 · Mar 24, 2026

Madam Speaker, my legislation, the American Water Stewardship Act, is a comprehensive package that brings together six standalone bills to reauthorize and strengthen key EPA water quality and…

Madam Speaker, my legislation, the American Water Stewardship Act, is a comprehensive package that brings together six standalone bills to reauthorize and strengthen key EPA water quality and ecosystem restoration programs.

The package includes the BEACH Act, introduced by Representatives David Joyce, Frank Pallone, David Rouzer, and Emilia Sykes, which supports coastal water monitoring and helps local communities to protect public health.

It also reauthorizes the National Estuary Program, championed by Representatives Figures and Mast, that protects and restores the water quality of estuaries of national significance.

The package also reauthorizes several geographic programs with strong track records, including the Long Island Sound program, led by Representative LaLota, and the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, led by Representative Hoyle.

Most important to me, however, is that this bill reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has long been championed by Representative David Joyce of Ohio, as well as many other Members of the Great Lakes region.

I have always appreciated working with such a strong bipartisan group of Members to ensure that this important program is recognized, reauthorized, and well funded.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, or the GLRI, represents the largest Federal investment in the Great Lakes, which are vitally important to my home State of Minnesota.

The GLRI is the largest and, arguably, the most successful EPA geographic program. Its work focuses on cleaning up the Great Lakes, reducing pollution, addressing invasive species, and restoring critical habitat for local species.

To date, more than 8,000 projects have been completed through the GLRI, generating over $3 in economic activity for every $1 in Federal investment. This is an incredible rate of return for a Federal program, and it is just one of the reasons why I have strongly advocated for the GLRI during my time here in Congress.

I would be remiss if I did not extend my gratitude to Congressman David Joyce and all the other Great Lakes champions for their work on this effort. I am happy we have found a legislative vehicle to move this important program forward.

At its core, this package reflects a commonsense approach to water stewardship, supporting community-led efforts, encouraging collaboration, and demonstrating that responsible environmental protection goes hand in hand with economic growth and fiscal responsibility.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this package.

Show 3 more

Rep. Jill N. TokudaD-HI-2 · Mar 24, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present for the vote series today, as I was dealing with the immediate aftermath of the Kona Low Storms, the most severe floods in more than 20 years, which caused…

Rep. Daniel S. GoldmanD-NY-10 · Mar 24, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to vote today due to an urgent commitment in my Congressional district. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 97.

Rep. Hillary J. ScholtenD-MI-3 · Mar 24, 2026

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 97.

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued March 25, 2026

IIB

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6422

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 25, 2026

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

AN ACT

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain EPA geographic programs, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the American Water Stewardship Act.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Section 118(c)(7)(J)(i)(VI) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1268(c)(7)(J)(i)(VI)) is amended by striking fiscal year 2026 and inserting each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

Long Island Sound

Section 119(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269(h)) is amended by striking 2023 and inserting 2031.

Columbia River Basin restoration

Section 123(d)(6) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1275(d)(6)) is amended by striking and 2021 and inserting through 2031.

San Francisco Bay restoration program

Section 125 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1276a) is amended—

(1)

in the section heading, by striking grant; and

(2)

in subsection (e)—

(A)

in the subsection heading, by striking Grant program and inserting Program implementation;

(B)

in paragraph (1), by striking or other means to State and local agencies, special districts, and public or nonprofit agencies and inserting interagency agreements, contracts, or other funding mechanisms to Federal, State, and local agencies, special districts, public or nonprofit agencies, and other public or private entities; and

(C)

by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

(2)

Maximum amount

Amounts provided for a project, activity, or study under this section shall not exceed an amount that is equal to 75 percent of the total cost of such project, activity, or study.

(3)

Assistance to non-Federal entities

Not less than 25 percent of the cost of any project, activity, or study carried out using amounts provided to a non-Federal entity under this section shall be provided from non-Federal sources.

National estuary program

(a)

In general

Section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking and Pensacola and Perdido Bays, Florida and inserting Pensacola and Perdido Bays, Florida; and Mississippi Sound, Mississippi; and

(2)

in subsection (i)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 2026 and inserting 2031.

(b)

Ineligibility with respect to fiscal years 2026 and 2027

With respect to the amendment made by subsection (a)(1), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may not use for the implementation of that amendment, including, with respect to Mississippi Sound, Mississippi, convening a management conference, developing or carrying out a comprehensive conservation and management plan, or providing grants under section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330)—

(1)

any amounts appropriated to carry out the national estuary program under that section for fiscal year 2026; or

(2)

unless the total amount appropriated to carry out that program for fiscal year 2027 is at least $850,000 more than the total amount appropriated to carry out that program for fiscal year 2024, any amounts appropriated to carry out that program for fiscal year 2027.

Coastal Recreation Water Quality Monitoring And Notification

(a)

In general

(1)

Program development and implementation grants

Section 406 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1346) is amended—

(A)

in subsection (b)—

(i)

in paragraph (3)(A)—

(I)

in clause (i), by striking and at the end;

(II)

by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and

(III)

by inserting after clause (i) the following:

(ii)

in the case of a State that uses such grant to identify specific sources of contamination pursuant to paragraph (5), any data relating to such identified sources of contamination; and

; and

(ii)

by adding at the end the following:

(5)

Identification of specific sources of contamination

A State or local government receiving a grant under this subsection may use such grant to identify specific sources of contamination for coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are used by the public.

; and

(B)

in subsection (i), by striking 2001 through 2005 and inserting 2026 through 2031.

(2)

Authorization of appropriations

Section 8 of the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–284; 114 Stat. 877) is amended by striking 2001 through 2005 and inserting 2026 through 2031.

(b)

Coastal recreation waters defined

Section 502(21)(A)(ii) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362(21)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking (including coastal estuaries) and inserting (including coastal estuaries, the mouths of rivers and streams, nearby shallow waters, and waters present on beaches).

(c)

Guidance

In providing guidance to States and local governments receiving grants under section 406 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1346), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall ensure that such guidance reflects innovations in testing technologies for water contamination.

Limitation on use of funds

No Federal funds made available for any of fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to carry out section 118, 119, 123, 125, 320, or 406 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act may be provided to any non-Federal entity—

(1)

that is domiciled in, headquartered in, or organized under the laws of, or the principal place of business of which is located in, a foreign country of concern (as defined in section 10638 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19237)); or

(2)

for projects conducted with a foreign country of concern.

Geographic program report

(a)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on EPA geographic programs.

(b)

Required evaluation

In preparing the report required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall include an evaluation, with respect to each EPA geographic program, of—

(1)

the management of funds, including the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations and the use of Federal funds;

(2)

the progress towards achieving program purposes, goals, and objectives, including the status of program goals and objectives and the extent to which the program has demonstrated measurable outcomes;

(3)

obstacles to program success or progress;

(4)

the efficacy of coordination with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs and actions, including whether there is any duplication of efforts among such programs and actions; and

(5)

the ethics policies and practices of the office of the Environmental Protection Agency responsible for implementing the program.

(c)

Recommendations

The Comptroller General shall include in the report required under subsection (a) recommendations, as appropriate, to improve EPA geographic program efficiency, accountability, and effectiveness in achieving program purposes, goals, and objectives.

(d)

EPA geographic program defined

In this section, the term EPA geographic program means—

(1)

the Chesapeake Bay Program under section 117 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1267);

(2)

the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative under section 118 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1268);

(3)

the Long Island Sound program under section 119 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1269);

(4)

the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program under section 120 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1270);

(5)

the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program under section 121 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1273);

(6)

the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program under section 123 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1275);

(7)

the San Francisco Bay Restoration Program under section 125 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1276a);

(8)

the Puget Sound program under section 126 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1276b);

(9)

the Gulf of America Program carried out by the Administrator;

(10)

the South Florida Program carried out by the Administrator; or

(11)

the Southeast New England Program carried out by the Administrator.

Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2026.

Kevin F. McCumber,

Clerk.