{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-harris-joins-119th-congressional-launch-chesapeake-bay-watershed", "Congressman Harris Joins The 119th Congressional Launch Of The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force", "2025-02-27", "2025", "2025-02", "Republican", "House", "MD", "Andy Harris", "H001052", "harris.house.gov", "harris", "https://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) has joined Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), as co-chairs of the Congressional Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force for the 119th Congress.\n\nStatements:\n\n\u201cThe Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure that must be preserved for future generations to enjoy. For several years, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force has brought together Members of Congress on a bipartisan basis with a goal of preserving the Bay. I am committed to commonsense, multi-state solutions that protect the Bay and look forward to the work the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force will do this year,\u201d said Congressman Harris.\n\n\u201cMy leadership on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force reflects my commitment to maintaining the ecological and economic value of one of our region\u2019s greatest resources. I\u2019m proud to bring my experience from the National Aquarium, Maryland State Senate, and Chesapeake Bay Commission to the Task Force. I\u2019m ready to get to work with my wonderful co-chairs to preserve this resource for all Marylanders,\u201d said Congresswoman Elfreth.\n\n\u201cThe Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force brings together members from both sides of the aisle focused on preserving the Chesapeake Bay. Together, the Task Force has secured critically needed funding for conservation efforts throughout the watershed and we have advanced policies to enable the Bay community to make progress towards its goals. I look forward to working with my fellow co-chairs to continue uniting the region in support of the Chesapeake Bay, one of our greatest national treasures,\u201d said Congressman Scott.\n\n\u201cAs a former marine scientist who studied water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, I know firsthand how important it is that we protect this national treasure,\u201d said Congressman Wittman. \u201cThe Bay is an economic engine for coastal Virginia, and it\u2019s integral to our way of life in the Commonwealth. As co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, I will continue to work to conserve our natural resources and encourage responsible stewardship of our land, water, and wildlife.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force is designed to preserve and protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, a crucial resource for several Mid-Atlantic states. The Task Force will educate Members of Congress and provide a bipartisan forum for policy discussions and joint action related to water quality, conservation, resource management, and recreation issues affecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"]], "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://harris.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-harris-joins-119th-congressional-launch-chesapeake-bay-watershed"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6718972474336624, "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"}