{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-members-congress-launch-federal-push-fund-ohio-river-restoration", "Bipartisan Members of Congress Launch Federal Push to Fund Ohio River Restoration", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "IN", "Erin Houchin", "H001093", "houchin.house.gov", "houchin", "https://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09), along with Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), led introduction of the Ohio River Restoration Program Act with Reps. Mark Messmer (IN-08), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), and Mike Rulli (OH-06) to fund the restoration of the Ohio River.\n\nThe bipartisan coalition of Members represents districts throughout the Ohio River Basin, which spans 55 congressional districts across 15 states. The Ohio serves as a source of drinking water for more than 25 million Americans, and its resources are vital to local economies and industries, generating more than 500,000 jobs and $21 billion in wages.\n\nNationwide, more than a third of the United States\u2019 river-based commerce travels on the Ohio River \u2013 accounting for $43 billion in commodities annually \u2013 yet the Ohio River is still the nation\u2019s largest body of water without any dedicated federal funding. The bill would direct up to $350 million in federal investments to the large-scale restoration of the Ohio River Basin, using successful approaches similar to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.\n\n\u201cThe Ohio River is critical to our way of life in Southern Indiana,\u201d said Rep. Houchin. \u201cIt strengthens our economy, supports our farmers and manufacturers, and provides drinking water for millions of families. Communities along the Ohio have invested in protecting this resource for generations, and it is time for the federal government to become a real partner in those efforts. I am proud to coauthor this bipartisan bill that will help restore the river, protect public health, and strengthen the economic future of the entire region.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Ohio River is an economic engine that powers industries and supports billions in nationwide commerce, but at home in the River City, it\u2019s our lifeblood \u2013 it\u2019s the water we drink, it\u2019s the way we make a living, it\u2019s a place to keep traditions alive and find community with our neighbors,\u201d said Rep. McGarvey. \u201cAnd yet, our local communities who rely on it most and have helped sustain this vital resource for years still haven't gotten a dime in dedicated federal funding to properly protect and restore this critical resource right in our backyard. The Ohio River has been overlooked for far too long, and it\u2019s time for it to get the attention and investment it deserves.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Ohio River is a lifeline for so many communities in Pennsylvania\u2019s 17th Congressional District,\u201d said Rep. Deluzio. \u201cFrom drinking water to commerce and recreation, and more\u2014our prosperity relies on a clean and healthy Ohio River. There\u2019s a lot of good work happening to help improve the resilience and livability of our river\u2014but not a lot of funding to get things done. I\u2019m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to dedicate resources to help protect and restore the Ohio River for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cMy district is home to both the Lake Erie and Ohio River watersheds. We know how vital clean water is for our communities, our economy, and our health,\u201d said Rep. Sykes. \u201cI\u2019m proud to co-lead the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, which will provide resources to restore water infrastructure while protecting the environment. This legislation ensures the Ohio River remains a thriving resource for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am proud to co-lead this vital legislation and thank Rep. McGarvey for introducing it,\u201d said Rep. Rulli. \u201cFor generations, the Ohio River has served as the backbone of Ohio\u2019s 6th Congressional District and an economic lifeline for our nation, playing a crucial role in settling America and building us into an economic powerhouse. This restoration program is a smart investment that will restore abundant fish and wildlife while keeping the river clean and healthy for future generations.\u201d\n\n\"The Ohio River Basin is essential to not only the health of thousands of Hoosier residents, but to the vitality of southern Indiana's agricultural and industrial communities,\u201d said Rep. Messmer. \u201cThe conservation network in Indiana's 8th Congressional District has worked tirelessly to preserve access to recreation within the basin and reinforce existing ecosystems. I am proud to bolster their investments in one of America's most impactful watersheds by supporting the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program Act.\"\n\nThe Ohio River Restoration Program Act would create a federal office within the Environmental Protection Agency to guide a restoration plan in coordination with states and local governments.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "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://houchin.house.gov/media/press-releases/bipartisan-members-congress-launch-federal-push-fund-ohio-river-restoration"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4649690128862858, "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"}