"We are working hard to strengthen and expand this program so that we can provide greater assistance to the families who need it."
Introduce and work to pass legislation to reauthorize and expand the USDA Rural Decentralized Water Systems Grant Program.
Occurrences
Evidence
GovInfo records that Rep. Sewell introduced H.R. 7921 on March 12, 2026 and referred it to the House Committee on Agriculture. The bill's title says it would modify provisions relating to rural decentralized water systems grants.
The House Congressional Record for April 29, 2026 reflects consideration of H.R. 7567, the farm bill, and indicates the rural decentralized water systems provisions were part of the legislation being debated.
The committee report for H.R. 7567 includes section 6407, 'Rural decentralized water systems,' which amends section 306E to reauthorize and improve the program, including expanded uses such as water quality testing, water treatment, and technical assistance.
Sewell said she had secured inclusion of her Rural Decentralized Water Systems Reauthorization Act in the farm bill and explained that it would reauthorize the USDA grant program and expand eligibility to households at 80% or lower of median non-metropolitan household income.
Assessments
Sewell fulfilled the action-oriented promise to introduce and work to pass the reauthorization and expansion. The evidence shows she introduced H.R. 7921 in the 119th Congress, and the substance was incorporated into the 2026 farm bill through section 6407, with committee reporting and House floor consideration during her current federal term. The record provided does not establish final enactment, so this is delivery of the promised legislative introduction and advancement rather than proof that the program changes became law.