Reps. McDonald Rivet, Stauber Pass Bipartisan Funding for Great Lakes Restoration Through Committee

WATCH HERE: Rep. McDonald Rivet speaks about her bill in today's committee hearing

WASHINGTON- Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) successfully passedthe American Water Stewardship Act through the U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. This legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, reauthorizes funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

"In Michigan, the Great Lakes impact every part of our livelihood, including thousands of jobs, our tourism industry, and even the water we drink. These are precious natural resources that we need to preserve," said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. "The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has delivered results, and the work must continue to protect our economy and way of life for generations."

"America is home to some of the most beautiful water bodies in the world-from the Puget Sound in my backyard to the Great Lakes surrounding Michigan," said Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (WA-02). "Thanks to Rep. McDonald Rivet's work on the American Water Stewardship Act, critical rivers, lakes and sounds across the country will receive the funding they need to be kept safe, clean and beautiful."

The GLRIis the leading program to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem, coordinating efforts across federal, state, and local partners. The program targets pollution and invasive species while restoring coastlines, habitats, and native species. Since its creation in 2010, the GLRI has provided more than $4.1 billion to fund over 8,000 projectsthroughout the Great Lakes region, directly supporting economic opportunity and protecting Michigan's greatest natural resource.

The GLRI is currently set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2026. The American Water Stewardship Act would reauthorize GLRI funding through Fiscal Year 2031, and reauthorize other important water quality and ecosystem restoration initiatives nationwide.

Congresswoman McDonald Rivet is a member of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over all U.S. waterways, and a member of the bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force, which advocates for the economic and environmental well-being of the Great Lakes. In January, the Congresswoman introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025to reauthorize the GLRI, alongside Republican and Democratic members from Great Lakes states.