{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-downings-bill-extend-fort-peck-rural-water-system-authorization", "CONGRESSMAN DOWNING'S BILL TO EXTEND FORT PECK RURAL WATER SYSTEM AUTHORIZATION PASSES BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS", "2026-09-16", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Troy Downing", "D000634", "downing.house.gov", "downing", "https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This week, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 7250, Congressman Troy Downing\u2019s legislation to extend authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System through 2028. The bill now heads to the President\u2019s desk, allowing critical water infrastructure projects across northeastern Montana to continue moving forward. H.R. 7250 amends the existing authorization by extending its expiration from 2026 to 2028.\n\nThe Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act of 2000 was enacted to provide safe and reliable municipal, rural, and industrial water through two interconnected systems: the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie Rural Water System. Together, these systems serve tribal and non-tribal communities across Roosevelt, Sheridan, Daniels, and Valley counties.\n\nH.R. 7250 extends the Bureau of Reclamation\u2019s authority to support construction of essential water infrastructure serving the Fort Peck Reservation and surrounding communities through December 2028.\n\n\u201cAccess to clean, reliable water is essential for families and communities across northeastern Montana,\u201d said Congressman Downing. \u201cI\u2019m proud the Senate passed my bill to extend authorization for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System after the House approved it earlier this year. This legislation is now headed to the President\u2019s desk and will help keep critical water infrastructure projects moving forward for the Fort Peck Reservation and surrounding communities.\n\n\u201cThis is huge news for northeast Montana! Access to safe and reliable water infrastructure is an absolute necessity, and reauthorizing the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act will help provide clean water for Montana communities. Thank you Representative Downing for your work to get this through the U.S. House- now let\u2019s get it signed into law!\u201d said U.S. Senator Steve Daines.\n\nHouse Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman praised the passage of H.R. 7250 and Congressman Downing\u2019s work to strengthen water infrastructure in northeastern Montana.\n\n\u201cWhere reliable water flows, opportunity and prosperity follow. H.R. 7250 reauthorizes the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, helping ensure families, farmers and businesses in northeastern Montana continue to have access to dependable water supplies,\" said Chairman Westerman. \u201cI commend Rep. Downing for his commitment to strengthening critical water infrastructure and supporting Montana\u2019s future.\n\nRead the bill HERE.", 1, "2026-09-17T09:52:05Z", "2026-09-17T09:53:00Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://downing.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-downings-bill-extend-fort-peck-rural-water-system-authorization"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7851561531424522, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}