Rashida Tlaib (D-MI)
Water Access and Affordability Act
A Democratic bill with 22 Democratic cosponsors · See all 22 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Water Access and Affordability Act aims to establish a Federal low-income water assistance program. This program is designed to help low-income households maintain access to affordable drinking water and sanitary sewer services. The Act authorizes significant funding to assist these households through various forms of financial support and technical assistance. It also mandates the development of water service access programs in every State. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to increase transparency and evaluation of State revolving loan funds.
Yes· 3 of 35
- Scored +10
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The primary target of the bill, providing extensive financial aid and service protections.
- Scored +9
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Explicitly mentions commitment to water access for all Native American Tribes and reserves funds for Tribal areas.
- Scored +9
Would immigrants be better off under this?
Assistance is provided regardless of citizenship or legal residency status.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -8
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill significantly increases government spending via a new multi-billion dollar assistance program.
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes $20 billion in annual spending from 2027 through 2037.
- Scored -3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill creates a substantial long-term financial commitment without an identified revenue offset.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Direct Financial Support for Households: The bill allows for various forms of assistance including direct financial assistance, debt reduction, and water efficiency assistance like subsidizing water-efficient appliances or plumbing repairs (Section 3(c)(3)(A)(ii)).
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Protection Against Disconnection: The program includes provisions that prohibit households from being disconnected from water service or losing access to water due to an inability to pay bills (Section 3(c)(3)(A)(iv)).
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Simplified Enrollment Processes: To help people get help more easily, the bill allows for automatic enrollment for those participating in other Federal or State assistance programs and permits the use of self-attestation for eligibility (Section 3(c)(3)(A)(i)).
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Elimination of Barriers to Assistance: The Act prohibits requirements for asset tests, in-person enrollment appointments, or citizenship/legal residency requirements to receive assistance (Section 3(c)(3)(A)(i)).
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Support for Water Security: The bill includes provisions for "water crisis assistance" to help during emergencies like weather-related shortages or service disconnections (Section 3(c)(3)(A)(ii)).
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Increased Transparency for State Funds: The bill amends existing laws to require States to provide more data regarding funded and unfunded projects, specifically highlighting assistance for disadvantaged communities (Section 4(a)(1)(A)(ii) and Section 4(b)(2)(A)(i)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Private Utility Use of Funds: Community water systems or treatment works that are not wholly owned by a government entity are prohibited from using these funds to provide financial benefits to owners, such as dividends or increased rates of return (Section 3(f)(3)).
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Limitations on Grant Usage: Grants awarded to implement water service access programs cannot be used to replace existing similar programs within a State or local system, though they can supplement them (Section 3(c)(2)(C)(ii)).
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — The primary target of the bill, providing extensive financial aid and service protections. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Assistance is provided regardless of citizenship or legal residency status. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Explicitly mentions commitment to water access for all Native American Tribes and reserves funds for Tribal areas. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Targeted support for disadvantaged and under-resourced communities often disproportionately affects minority groups. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Low-income support and inclusive eligibility regardless of citizenship status benefit this group. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Specific mandates for outreach to households with individuals with disabilities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Provides technical assistance specifically to small and mid-size water systems. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Significant support for large water systems (100k+ population) typical of urban areas. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans receiving specific pension payments are automatically qualified as low-income households. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Low-income assistance and inclusive eligibility provide significant benefits. Would children be better off under this? — Low-income children benefit from secured access to safe water and stable housing. Would men be better off under this? — Low-income men are eligible for the assistance program. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Low-income adults receive bill discounting and debt relief. Would retired people be better off under this? — Low-income retirees receiving SSI are eligible for assistance. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Low-income seniors benefit from financial assistance and protection against disconnection. Would women be better off under this? — Low-income women and households receiving WIC are eligible for assistance. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Direct financial assistance for water bills helps low-income young adults. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Low-income white households are eligible for the assistance program. Would farmers be better off under this? — Support for small and mid-size water systems may benefit farming communities. Would business owners be better off under this? — Private utilities are prohibited from using funds for financial benefit of owners.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Provides direct financial relief for essential water services to low-income households. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Provides targeted support for under-resourced communities and environmental justice organizations. Does this make housing cost less? — Prevents loss of housing resulting from water service disconnections for nonpayment. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Requires outreach specifically to households where an individual with a disability resides. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Protects tenants from eviction or housing loss linked to water bill delinquency.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires public posting of loan plans and creation of central online repositories for data. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Mandates public hearings and comment periods before finalizing state water loan plans. Does this give the federal government more power? — Expands EPA's authority to establish minimum requirements and regulations for state water loan funds. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Imposes new federal mandates and reporting requirements on state-managed revolving funds.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Provides technical assistance and funding to small and mid-size water systems often found in rural areas. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Increases oversight and transparency of water pollution and drinking water programs. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Establishes 'water crisis assistance' for weather-related or supply shortage emergencies.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Ensuring access to safe drinking water is essential for basic public health.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill prohibits water disconnections for eligible low-income households. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Reducing the financial burden of water bills for low-income households increases their disposable income. Is this likely to create jobs? — Funding for water efficiency upgrades and plumbing repairs may stimulate local contractor employment. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill significantly increases government spending via a new multi-billion dollar assistance program. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill creates a substantial long-term financial commitment without an identified revenue offset. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes $20 billion in annual spending from 2027 through 2037.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — Low-income veterans are explicitly listed as eligible for the water assistance program.
- 10/6/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/3/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 7/22/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/16/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/13/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Christopher DeluzioDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Jimmy GomezDemocrat · California
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York