The U.S. House of Representatives last Tuesday passed H.R. 5973, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Reauthorization Act, by voice vote. The bill reauthorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to work with states and other agencies to develop and execute proposals to conserve, restore, and manage fish and wildlife populations and their habitats. Since its initial authorization in 1998, the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act has provided federal funding to 148 research and restoration projects in the Great Lakes Basin.
The lead sponsors of the bipartisan legislation are Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Darrin LaHood (R-IL), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and David Joyce (R-OH). A version of the bill also has been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Todd Young (R-IN), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
With other legislation, Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Todd Young (R-IN), and Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-5), sponsored in their respective chambers the Get Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act. This bipartisan legislation would protect families from lead contamination in drinking water by requiring the Department of Housing and Urban Development to inspect for lead service lines, check for water contamination in homes with lead paint, and create a grant program for state and local governments to address lead contamination.
For more information on these and other Great Lakes bills, check out our Great Lakes and Water Legislative Tracker here.
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This Week in Washington
In the House:
No House hearings this week for district work periods.
