Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Joins Members of Great Lakes Task Force in Introducing Legislation to Extend Protections for Great Lakes

WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joined with members of the bipartisan Great Lake Task Force in introducing the Great Lakes Restoration Act of 2024, legislation that would extend critical protections for the Great Lakes and the surrounding region through 2031, with annual funding levels increasing from $475 million in 2026 to $500 million from 2027 to 2031. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), first introduced in 2010, has served to help protect the Great Lakes and the states that border them from issues such as water contamination, climate change, and coastal and habitat erosion and destruction.

“The Great Lakes are integral to Illinois’ environmental sustainability, public health, and economic prosperity” Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said. “As a member of the Great Lakes Task Force, I am proud to support legislation to extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, recognizing its critical role in preserving the health of our region's ecosystems, safeguarding drinking water sources, and bolstering our economy through tourism and recreation. This bipartisan effort will help preserve our Great Lakes and ensure our state’s wellbeing for generations to come.”

Senate sponsors of the bill include Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Todd Young (R-IN), Gary Peters (D-MI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and J.D. Vance (R-OH).

House sponsors include Reps. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Brad Schneider (D-IL), David Joyce (R-OH), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Gwen Moore (D-WI), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Bryan Steil (R-WI), John James (R-MI), Max Miller (R-OH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Lisa McClain (R-MI), and Joseph Morelle (D-NY).

The legislation also shares broad support among Great Lakes advocates, including: Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes Commission, Alliance for the Great Lakes, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, American Sportfishing Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, American Great Lakes Ports Association, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Great Lakes Business Network, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Clean Wisconsin, Save the Dunes, Ohio Environmental Council, Ducks Unlimited and Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

“The creation of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is one of the most important actions of my legislative career.  Since I authored the program in 2010, it has been a proven success story,” Sen. Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, said. “This bill will ensure the stability and future of the program as we address new emerging threats to our Great Lakes and waters.”

“The Great Lakes are an invaluable asset to the people of Ohio – I’m proud to partner with Senator Stabenow on legislation that will continue to protect them for generations to come,” Sen. Vance, Co-Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, said. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative delivers the tools we need to fight invasive species, algal blooms, pollution, and other threats to the ecosystem. This is a commonsense, bipartisan effort that I encourage all of my colleagues to support.”

“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a successful program that protects one of the Midwest’s most valuable resources,” Sen. Durbin said. “It is vital that we continue to invest in this initiative for years to come. I’m joining my colleagues today to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and ensure that our region has the resources to care for our lakes.”

“Maintaining the health of our Great Lakes is critical to protecting our environment, supporting a robust fishing industry and supporting the health of our communities throughout the Midwest and beyond,” Sen. Duckworth said. “By reauthorizing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, we’re working to ensure we have the federal support needed to keep our Great Lakes clean and protect this critical resource for generations to come.”

“The Great Lakes provide more than 1.5 million jobs, supply 90 percent of our nation’s fresh surface water, and generate $62 billion in wages every year,” Congressman Joyce, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, said. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative supports efforts that confront direct threats facing the lakes like harmful algal blooms, water pollution, invasive species, and coastal erosion. I am proud to be working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reintroduce this critical legislation to protect and preserve the national treasure that is the Great Lakes ecosystem.”

“As a co-chair of the Congressional Great Lakes Task Force and a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is among my top priorities each year,” Congresswoman Kaptur, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, said. “The GLRI provides instrumental funding to meet an enormous unmet need for our region, including the millions of people who depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking water, livelihoods, and leisure. In 2020, the GLRI contributed $3.1 Trillion to our economy, 25.8 million jobs, and $1.3 Trillion in wages. Analysis shows that every GLRI dollar spent produces $3.35 in economic activity, which demonstrates a clear return on investment. Robust funding that benefits communities throughout our region is just common sense.”

“As Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, I have worked to build a bipartisan coalition in Congress to make the Great Lakes a national priority,” Congressman Huizenga, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, said. “The Great Lakes serve as a vital source of economic activity, recreation, and drinking water for millions of Americans. For us in Michigan, the Great Lakes are a way of life. Studies from Grand Valley State University and the University of Michigan demonstrate how the economic health of the Great Lakes is directly tied to their ecological health. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is the leading federal program designed to clean up legacy pollution, restore habitats, and combat invasive species across the basin. I will continue to lead efforts that prioritize the Great Lakes and work to protect, preserve, and strengthen these precious resources for future generations.”

“The Great Lakes are not only an important natural resource, but a way of life that supports communities and jobs across our region and country,” Congresswoman Dingell, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, said. “Since it was established, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been an environmental and economic success, and is fundamental to protecting, restoring, and maintaining the Great Lakes ecosystem and economy. We must ensure the GLRI receives strong, bipartisan support to continue this meaningful work.”