{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-introduces-bill-to-restore-and-protect-the-mississippi-river", "Senator Baldwin Introduces Bill to Restore and Protect the Mississippi River", "2026-07-28", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "WI", "Tammy Baldwin", "B001230", "www.baldwin.senate.gov", "baldwin", "https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act, legislation to restore and protect the Mississippi River corridor amid growing threats that put this vital waterway, and the economy that depends on it, at risk. The legislation creates a collaborative initiative to coordinate efforts and invest in building resilience to flooding and storms, improving water quality, restoring wildlife habitat, and stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species. MRRRI is modeled around the successful and broadly supported Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that coordinates across states and sectors to clean up toxic contaminants, control harmful and invasive aquatic species, restore habitats, and leverage investments for economic activity.\n\n\u201cThe Mississippi River is essential to Wisconsin\u2019s economy and way of life \u2013 from moving Made in Wisconsin products to market, to supporting fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation, to providing fresh drinking water for millions of families,\u201d said Senator Baldwin. \u201cAs communities along the river face more frequent flooding and worsening pollution, we must confront these challenges head on while also making the long-term investments needed to prepare for those ahead. Investing in the Mighty Mississippi is an investment in our economy, the great outdoors and the next generation of Wisconsinites.\u201d\n\nFor 20 million Americans, the Mississippi River is their primary source of drinking water. The river supports a $500-billion-a-year commercial, recreation, and natural resources-based river economy that employs 1.5 million people.\n\nMRRRI will fund community-driven projects to restore and protect the Mississippi River and build resilience for the communities who depend upon it. A regularly updated action plan, developed with public input, will guide the implementation of the MRRRI and the use of federal funds to:\n\nImprove water quality to protect drinking water, wildlife, and river-dependent industries by reducing runoff pollution.\n\nReduce flood and storm risks and increase community resilience through natural infrastructure solutions and ecologically sound management.\n\nProtect and restore wildlife habitat, including by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.\n\nImprove communication and partnership activities related to the focus areas listed above.\n\nMonitor, collect, and evaluate scientific data to assess the focus areas listed above.\n\nSenator Baldwin has long supported navigation and ecosystem improvements along the Upper Mississippi River. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Baldwin works each year to secure strong funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program, which monitors the health of the river and restores key habitat for fish and wildlife critical for Wisconsin\u2019s recreational economy.\n\nThis year, Senator Baldwin worked with her colleagues to successfully secure a total of $18 million in federal funding for the Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) to improve and restore both the capacity and efficiency of the river\u2019s navigation system, as well as the river\u2019s ecosystems.\n\nCongresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) leads companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\nFull text of the bill is available here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-29T07:41:48Z", "2026-07-29T07:42:57Z"]], "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://www.baldwin.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-baldwin-introduces-bill-to-restore-and-protect-the-mississippi-river"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.9707460887730122, "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"}