Robert Bresnahan (R-PA)
Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act requires the Comptroller General of the United States to review the Susquehanna, Delaware, and Potomac River Basin Commissions. The review focuses on ethics, public communication, Federal responsibilities, funding, and overlapping duties. The Comptroller General must submit a report with findings and recommendations to specific House and Senate committees. Following the report, each commission must provide a plan detailing how they are complying with those recommendations. This reporting process will occur annually for five years.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill explicitly aims to increase transparency of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Reviewing the river basin commissions could lead to improved environmental protections.
- Scored +1
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill mandates a federal review and compliance plans, potentially increasing federal oversight.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill requires a GAO report and commission compliance plans which could increase government spending slightly.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency and Oversight: The GAO will review ethics policies, public communication practices, and reporting activities (Sec. 2(a)(2)(A), (B), (F)). This could lead to recommendations that increase transparency for the public (Sec. 2(a)(3)(B)).
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Efficiency of Government Functions: The review identifies duties that may be duplicative of or overlap with other Federal authorities (Sec. 2(a)(2)(E)).
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Financial Accountability: The act requires a description of the level and sources of State and Federal funding received by the commissions (Sec. 2(a)(2)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill explicitly aims to increase transparency of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates a federal review and compliance plans, potentially increasing federal oversight.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Reviewing the river basin commissions could lead to improved environmental protections.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — By reviewing the commissions' funding and potential overlap, the bill could improve fiscal responsibility. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill requires a GAO report and commission compliance plans which could increase government spending slightly.
- 9/9/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 9/8/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 119-241.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 198.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3879)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3879)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3428.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3879-3880)
- Mr. Barrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 6/11/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 6/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/16/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 5/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House
Scott PerryRepublican · Pennsylvania