Bill · H.R. 131· House(119-HR-131)
Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 1/8/2026 — The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
- Sponsored by
- Lauren Boebert
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Vetoed
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. It makes changes to how the Arkansas Valley Conduit in Colorado is repaid. The bill sets up a repayment contract for the conduit to supply domestic water to communities and households that lack reliable access. It allows for a repayment period of up to 75 years with simple interest based on a demonstration of financial hardship. Finally, it requires the contracting parties to take over the care, operation, maintenance, and replacement of the conduit.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill secures domestic water supplies for communities and households lacking reliable access in the Colorado region.
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The bill provides for the development and maintenance of the Arkansas Valley Conduit to ensure reliable water access for communities.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
The bill offers reduced interest rates for those demonstrating financial hardship to ensure water access.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a vote to pass a bill over the President's objectionFailed 248–177
The President refused to sign this, and the chamber is voting to enact it anyway. That takes two-thirds of both chambers, which is why most attempts fail.
01/08/2026 · Roll call 9 · recorded as “Passage, Objections of the President To The Contrary Notwithstanding”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Reliable Water Access: The bill specifically aims to provide domestic water supplies to communities and households that do not currently have reliable access to them, as outlined in section 2(d)(1). This is a positive outcome for everyday people who need clean water.
-
Financial Hardship Relief: Section 2(d)(1)(B) allows for the repayment of the balance for up to 75 years with simple interest at a reduced rate based on a demonstration of financial hardship. This helps folks who might otherwise struggle to afford the project.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Maintenance Responsibilities: Under section 2(d)(2), the contracting parties must assume the care, operation, maintenance, and replacement of the conduit. This could place a heavy ongoing burden on the local people and communities responsible for these duties.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 1/8/2026
- The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.
- The Chair announced the unfinished business to be the consideration of the veto. (consideration: CR H212)
- Failed of passage in House over veto On passage, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 177, 1 Present (Roll no. 9).
- On passage, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 177, 1 Present (Roll no. 9).
- Motion to refer the bill and accompanying veto message to the Committee on Natural Resources.
- On motion to refer the bill and the accompanying veto message to the Committee on Natural Resources. Agreed to without objection.
- The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the veto message of the President to H.R. 131, the Chair put the question on will the House, on reconsideration, pass the bill, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. Under the Constitution, the vote must be taken by the yeas and nays. Further proceedings were postponed until a time to be announced.
- The previous question was ordered without objection.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House of January 2, 2026, the unfinished business is the further consideration of the veto message of the President on H.R. 131. The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. (consideration: CR H205-208)
- 1/2/2026
- POSTPONED CONSIDERATION OF VETO MESSAGE - The Chair announced that further consideration of the veto message and the bill, H.R. 131, is postponed until the legislative day of January 8, 2026. Agreed to without objection.
- The Chair announced that the objections of the President to H.R. 131 would be spread at large upon the Journal and the veto message would be printed as a House Document (119-119).
- The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.
- 12/29/2025
- Vetoed by President.
- 12/18/2025
- Presented to President.
- 12/17/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 12/16/2025
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8766-8768)
- 7/22/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 7/21/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3497-3498)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3497-3498)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 131.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3497-3498)
- Mr. Gosar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 7/10/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-187.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 152.
- 6/25/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 1/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado