Bill · H.R. 6422· House(119-HR-6422)
American Water Stewardship Act
- Introduced
- 12/4/2025
- Last activity
- 3/25/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Pete Stauber
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The American Water Stewardship Act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend several EPA geographic programs through 2031. This includes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Long Island Sound, Columbia River Basin Restoration, and the National Estuary Program. It expands the San Francisco Bay Restoration Program's funding mechanisms and updates coastal water quality monitoring. The bill also adds Mississippi Sound to the National Estuary Program, though funding for it is restricted for certain years. Finally, it requires a report from the Comptroller General to evaluate the efficiency and ethics of these EPA programs.
Yes· 3 of 29
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
Extends multiple water pollution control and restoration programs through 2031.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+5
Mandates a comprehensive report by the Comptroller General on program effectiveness and ethics.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
Environmental restoration often improves public health in vulnerable coastal and basin communities.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill reauthorizes and extends spending for several EPA geographic programs through 2031.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 378–32
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
03/24/2026 · Roll call 97 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Extended Environmental Restoration: The bill extends authorizations through 2031 for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (Sec. 2), Long Island Sound (Sec. 3), and Columbia River Basin Restoration (Sec. 4), allowing these water cleanup efforts to continue.
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Expanded Restoration Partnerships: In the San Francisco Bay Restoration Program, funding can now be provided to a broader range of entities, including private entities and various public agencies (Sec. 5).
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Expanded Estuary Protection: The Mississippi Sound, Mississippi is added to the National Estuary Program (Sec. 6).
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Improved Water Safety Monitoring: State and local governments can now use grants to identify specific sources of contamination in coastal recreation waters (Sec. 7).
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Modernized Testing: The EPA must ensure guidance for water quality grants reflects new innovations in testing technologies (Sec. 7).
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Increased Accountability: The Comptroller General must report on the management of funds, progress toward goals, and the ethics policies of EPA geographic programs to improve effectiveness (Sec. 9).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Funding Restrictions for Mississippi Sound: The EPA is prohibited from using funds for the Mississippi Sound amendment in fiscal year 2026, and cannot do so in 2027 unless appropriations increase by at least $850,000 over 2024 levels (Sec. 6).
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Cost Burden on Non-Federal Entities: For the San Francisco Bay Restoration Program, non-Federal entities must now provide at least 25 percent of the cost for any project, activity, or study (Sec. 5).
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Funding Bans for Certain Entities: Federal funds cannot be provided to any non-Federal entity domiciled in, headquartered in, or operating with a foreign country of concern (Sec. 8).
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 Low Income Households+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Children+3Good For Farmers+3Good For High Income Households+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Business Owners+2Good For Union Workers+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Public Land Management+4Improves Rural Development+2Reduces Carbon Emissions+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+5Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3Increases Job Creation+2Improves Economic Growth+1Reduces Government Spending-2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+3
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+2
- 3/25/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 3/24/2026
- 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 32 (Roll no. 97).
- 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)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2665-2666)
- 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6422.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2662-2665)
- Mr. Taylor moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 3/20/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-564.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 485.
- 12/18/2025
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/5/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 12/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Nick LaLotaRepublican · New York
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocrat · Michigan
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan