Bill · H.R. 4791· House(119-HR-4791)
Keep USGS Strong Act
- Introduced
- 7/29/2025
- Last activity
- 7/29/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Debbie Dingell
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Keep USGS Strong Act" aims to protect the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from staffing cuts and certain operational restrictions. It exempts the USGS from a January 20, 2025, Presidential Memorandum regarding a hiring freeze. The bill also prevents reductions in force of USGS employees as long as Congress has provided the necessary funds for their salaries and expenses. Additionally, it stops the cancellation of USGS real property leases unless the Director of the USGS approves.
Yes· 3 of 32
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+8
Ensures continuity of seismic and hazard monitoring essential for disaster response and public safety.
Would farmers be better off under this?+6
Provides critical data on groundwater and surface water availability for agriculture.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
Protects staff monitoring water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem health, particularly in the Great Lakes.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
Prevents staff reductions and hiring freezes, which may increase or maintain government payroll spending.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness: By preventing hiring freezes and staff reductions, the bill supports the USGS's ability to monitor earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and floods, which helps predict and mitigate risks to communities (Sec. 2).
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Water Resource Management: The bill protects the research and monitoring of surface water, groundwater, and the Great Lakes, which informs pollution control, fisheries management, and water availability in drought-prone or urban areas (Sec. 2).
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Environmental Conservation: Maintaining USGS staffing supports the long-term monitoring of ecosystems and wildlife habitats, which informs policies to protect biodiversity and natural resources (Sec. 2).
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Access to Critical Data: The bill ensures the continued production of topographic maps and geospatial datasets used by the public and government for land use planning and disaster response (Sec. 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 Farmers+6Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Students+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For High Income Households+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Union Workers+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Children+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+8Improves Environmental Protections+6Improves Public Land Management+6Improves Rural Development+3Improves Roads And Bridges+2Increases Renewable Energy Investment+1Reduces Carbon Emissions+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+2Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending-2
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+2
- 10/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Suzan DelBeneDemocrat · Washington
Marilyn StricklandDemocrat · Washington
George WhitesidesDemocrat · California