H.R. 6422 · Where this bill is now
In the Senate
Passed the House Mar 24, 2026. Received Mar 25, 2026; no Senate vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExtends federal water quality protection programs
This bill keeps several EPA programs going through 2031 that protect and restore water quality in major U.S. waterways—including the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, Columbia River, and coastal estuaries. It also makes changes to some programs, like allowing states and local governments to better track pollution sources at beaches, and expanding which organizations can receive federal grant funding for certain restoration work.
How it affects you
If you live near or visit the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, Columbia River, or coastal areas, this bill helps protect the water quality and ecosystems you depend on. People who fish, swim, or otherwise recreate in these areas benefit from continued restoration efforts, and states and local communities get tools and funding to keep these waterways clean and healthy.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Dec 4, 2025)
American Water Stewardship Act
This bill reauthorizes several water quality protection and restoration programs of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and makes related requirements.
Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Long Island Sound Partnership program, the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, the National Estuary Program, and the BEACH Act program.
The bill also modifies some of those programs. For example, the bill modifies the National Estuary Program, including by establishing the Mississippi Sound as an estuary of national significance that may receive support under the program. It also modifies the BEACH Act program, including by allowing states or local governments to use grants provided under the program to identify specific sources of contamination for coastal recreation waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access that are used by the public.
Additionally, the bill modifies the San Francisco Estuary Partnership, including by making federal agencies eligible for grants provided under the program.
The bill also prohibits funding made available for FY2026-FY2031 to carry out specified Clean Water Act programs from being provided to nonfederal entities that are domiciled in, located in, organized under, have a principal place of business in, or have agreements with foreign countries of concern.
Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate and report on specified geographic programs of the EPA.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 6422
AN ACT
American Water Stewardship Act
Sponsor: Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN-8) · Introduced Dec 4, 2025 · Environmental Protection · 4 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 25, 2026: “Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Mar 24, 2026
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 378–32
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 201 | 1 | 12 |
| Independents | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 176 | 31 | 9 |
32 members voted against most of their party: 1 Democrats voted No and 31 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.