The GLRI Reauthorization Act would reauthorize critical funding for conserving the Great Lakes, set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, for another five years through FY 2031.
Reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for another five years through FY2031.
Occurrences
working to preserve and protect the Great Lakes
As a Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, I will continue working across the aisle to secure the necessary investments to treat the Great Lakes as the national treasure they are.
Evidence
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Latest Action: 01/05/2021 Became Public Law No: 116-294. Congress.gov summary says the bill reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through FY2026.
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Rep. Joyce stated that his GLRI Reauthorization Act was included in the American Water Stewardship Act, passed the House, and would reauthorize GLRI through FY2031; the package then headed to the Senate.
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GovInfo lists H.R.6422 as the American Water Stewardship Act, Referred in Senate, with last action March 25, 2026: received, read twice, and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Assessments
Joyce materially advanced the exact federal outcome by introducing or promoting GLRI reauthorization language for FY2031 that was incorporated into H.R.6422, the American Water Stewardship Act, and passed the House in March 2026 during his current congressional term. However, the measure had only been referred to the Senate and had not become law, so the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was not yet reauthorized through FY2031. The earlier 2021 GLRI law only extended authorization through FY2026 and does not fulfill the FY2031 promise.
Joyce appears to deserve substantial credit because his Great Lakes Restoration Initiative reauthorization bill became law on January 5, 2021. But the enacted law reauthorized the program only through FY2026, not through FY2031 as promised. That means he partially delivered the promise's objective, but did not achieve the full stated time horizon.