A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 10 cosponsors
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
This bill is known as the Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025 or the AWRC Act of 2025. It amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to update the water resources research and technology institutes program. The legislation adds the growing artificial intelligence industry to the congressional declaration of purpose. It authorizes appropriations of $16,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2029 for the general authorization of appropriations. It also outlines rules for additional funds for research focused on water problems of an interstate nature, including a Federal cost-share and competitive grants.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into scientific research?
Directly authorizes $16 million annually for water resources research and technology.
- Scored +3
Would farmers be better off under this?
Water research and interstate water management are critical for agricultural sustainability.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Rural areas are more heavily reliant on the water resource research funded by this act.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes additional government spending for research funding.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes $16 million annually in new spending.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: This section includes the growing artificial intelligence industry in the congressional declaration of purpose, which helps connect water resources research to this emerging field.
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Section 3: This provision authorizes $16,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2029 to carry out the general authorization of appropriations for water research and technology institutes.
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Section 3: This part provides additional funds for research focused on water problems of a regional or interstate nature, specific program priorities, and water problems identified by Congress, utilizing up to 20 percent of the authorized amounts for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2029.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 3: There are no specific negative impacts or burdens explicitly mentioned in the text for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — Water research and interstate water management are critical for agricultural sustainability. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural areas are more heavily reliant on the water resource research funded by this act. Would business owners be better off under this? — Specifically invites the AI industry and private industry into the research framework. Would students be better off under this? — Increased research funding creates more opportunities for graduate and academic study.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Enhances research into solving water resource problems, which supports environmental sustainability. Does this invest in rural communities? — Water research often directly benefits rural water management and agricultural productivity. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Research on interstate water issues supports better management of public water lands.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Directly authorizes $16 million annually for water resources research and technology.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make it easier to do business across state lines? — Focuses 20% of funding on interstate water problems, facilitating cross-state coordination. Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases federal oversight and funding for regional and interstate water research.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — Authorizes funding for water resources research and technology.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Investment in water technology and AI integration can drive long-term economic efficiency. Is this likely to create jobs? — Funding for research institutes may create specialized research and technical jobs. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes $16 million annually in new spending. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes additional government spending for research funding.
- 9/15/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 9/14/2026
- 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, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5575)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7889.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5575-5576)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 8/20/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-764.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 665.
- 7/15/2026
- Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 4/6/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/26/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 3/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/19/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
H. GriffithRepublican · Virginia
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland
John McGuireRepublican · Virginia
Addison McDowellRepublican · North Carolina
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Jefferson ShreveRepublican · Indiana