Sponsors (10)
The bill directs up to $500 million and stronger federal-state-tribal coordination to combat invasive mussels in the Great Lakes, trading a sizeable taxpayer-funded commitment and risks of limited net new resources or unequal distribution for improved prevention, protection of water infrastructure, and better-coordinated response capacity.
Great Lakes communities, state and local governments, and tribal residents receive up to $500 million (2026–2035) to fund coordinated invasive-mussel prevention and control, reducing the risk that Commission activities will be cut if other funds are constrained.
Local governments, tribal communities, and fisheries gain more consistent prevention measures through coordinated interstate and tribal engagement, helping protect water infrastructure and fisheries resources.
Federal agencies (USFWS, USGS, NOAA) will assist development of response efforts, improving scientific and operational coordination across federal, state, and tribal partners.
All taxpayers ultimately bear the $500 million appropriation cost over 2026–2035, which could pressure other budget priorities or increase deficits if not offset.
The supplemental designation may simply allow reallocation of existing Section 13 funds elsewhere, producing an unclear net increase in total program resources and limiting additional on-the-ground benefit.
If funds are concentrated on Commission-led programs, some states or tribes may receive less direct funding than they would through competitive grants, risking uneven access to resources.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to coordinate regional invasive mussel control with federal and local partners and authorizes $500M for FY2026–2035 to support those efforts.
Authorizes the U.S. Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to develop coordinated efforts with federal agencies, Tribes, States, and local governments to combat invasive mussel species and meet U.S. obligations under the Great Lakes Convention. Directs DOI (USFWS and USGS) and DOC (NOAA) to assist and authorizes $500,000,000 in funding for fiscal years 2026–2035 to carry out those efforts, explicitly supplementing existing Commission funding.
Introduced November 17, 2025 by Debbie Dingell · Last progress November 17, 2025