{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases/assistant-leader-neguse-introduces-bill-stop-spread-invasive-mussels-colorado", "Assistant Leader Neguse Introduces Bill to Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels in the Colorado River", "2024-12-03", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "CO", "Joe Neguse", "N000191", "neguse.house.gov", "neguse", "https://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse introduced the Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act, to help slow and prevent the spread of highly invasive aquatic species, including fast-spreading zebra mussels, in the Colorado River and other waters across the West. More specifically, the bicameral bill strengthens efforts led by states and agencies in partnership with the U.S. Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to implement preventative measures\u2014like watercraft inspection and decontamination stations\u2014that help limit the spread of these invasive species. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Steve Daines (R-MO) are championing companion legislation in the United States Senate.\n\nNeguse, who also serves as founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Colorado River Caucus, took action following reports that researchers have identified highly invasive zebra mussels in the Colorado River. Zebra mussels are considered the most costly invasive species in the U.S., rapidly attaching themselves to underwater infrastructure and causing fractures and clogs.\n\n\u201cInvasive species are costly and pose significant threats to our ecosystems,\u201d said Assistant Leader Neguse. \u201cI am proud to work alongside Senator Bennet on the Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act to help protect waters in Colorado and across the Rocky Mountain West. We must safeguard our water supply and work to prevent these aquatic species from doing greater harm to our infrastructure and ecosystems.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe have to do everything we can to protect our rivers, lakes, and waterways that are vital to our local communities and outdoor recreation economy,\u201d said Senator Michael Bennet. \u201cThis legislation invests to reduce the spread of invasive species in Colorado \u2013 saving money for taxpayers and ensuring the health of our ecosystems.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith the discovery of zebra mussel veligers in the Colorado River and in the Government Highline Canal near Grand Junction, CO, Representative Neguse\u2019s legislation is needed now more than ever to protect our state\u2019s waterways and critical infrastructure,\u201d said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. \u201cWe commend Representative Neguse for being a continued champion of legislation to expand collaboration between state and federal partners, which will be critical to preventing these harmful species from further taking root in western rivers.\u201d\n\nThe Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act will strengthen efforts to prevent and manage the spread of aquatic invasive species by improving federal and state partnerships, enhancing agency coordination, and providing funding support for inspections and decontamination programs.\n\nMore specifically, the legislation will:\n\nStrengthen prevention efforts by providing the Bureau of Reclamation with the authority to partner with states and municipalities to fund watercraft inspection and decontamination stations;\n\nProvide all federal agencies participating in the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force with the authority to limit the movement of invasive species into and out of U.S. waters and take steps to improve data sharing between agencies; and\n\nEnsure that all at-risk basins are eligible and prioritized for watercraft inspection and decontamination funding.\n\nThe bill is supported by the Colorado Water Congress, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Aurora Water, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and Northern Water.\n\nFind all quotes of support here.\n\nBackground\n\nAssistant Leader Joe Neguse, whose district includes the headwaters of the Colorado River, has been working to address water and drought-related issues, securing funding and enacting significant bills that invest in water management. Earlier this year, he successfully secured passage of his Bipartisan WATER Data Improvement Act and Bipartisan Drought Preparedness Act through the House of Representatives. Together, these policies extend the authorization of emergency drought relief measures and increase water measurement and monitoring technologies.\n\nAdditionally, as founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Colorado River Caucus, Rep. Neguse formed a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, each representing a state along the Colorado River Basin. The lawmakers are working to build consensus on critical issues plaguing the river, support the work of the Colorado River Basin states on how best to address the worsening levels of drought in the Colorado River Basin, and ensure western communities have stable access to safe and clean drinking water.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "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://neguse.house.gov/media/press-releases/assistant-leader-neguse-introduces-bill-stop-spread-invasive-mussels-colorado"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.002924982458353, "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"}