John Fetterman (D-PA)
Ohio River Restoration Program Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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
This bill proposes to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to create the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program. It establishes an Ohio River National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency to lead large-scale restoration and protection efforts. The program aims to improve water quality, increase community resilience to floods and storms, and protect fish and wildlife habitats. A Program Director will be appointed to oversee these efforts, develop actionable goals, and create a comprehensive action plan. This office will work with an advisory council consisting of various stakeholders and Tribal Governments. The bill also authorizes specific funding to implement these environmental and safety projects.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill establishes a program to improve water quality, protect fish and wildlife, and remediate toxic substances.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill mandates consultation with Tribal Governments to ensure their needs and priorities are addressed.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Program Director to make information and updates available to the public via a website.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
Restoration projects must remain compatible with existing disaster risk reduction infrastructure.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Water and Health: The program aims to improve water quality in the Ohio River Basin and drinking water in the Ohio River States (Section 2, subsection (c)(2)(A)).
-
Increased Safety from Disasters: Projects are intended to increase community resilience to flood and storm risks, which may include restoring natural systems (Section 2, subsection (c)(2)(B)).
-
Habitat Protection: The program seeks to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats within the Ohio River Basin (Section 2, subsection (c)(2)(C)).
-
Environmental Cleanup: The bill includes goals to remediate toxic substances in the Ohio River Basin (Section 2, subsection (c)(2)(E)).
-
Public Recreation and Access: There are provisions to improve opportunities for public access and recreation in the Ohio River Basin (Section 2, subsection (c)(2)(F)).
-
Economic Benefits: The selection of projects recognizes that they may provide economic benefits to local or regional communities or the entire basin (Section 2, subsection (c)(5)(A)(iii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Navigation and Infrastructure Risks: The bill notes that all projects and activities must be compatible with the ability of the Corps of Engineers to maintain navigation and the structural integrity of existing disaster risk reduction infrastructure (Section 2, subsection (c)(5)(B)).
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 Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill mandates consultation with Tribal Governments to ensure their needs and priorities are addressed. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved water quality and community resilience can benefit low-income areas within the basin. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Improved water quality and recreation opportunities benefit residents of the Ohio River States. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The program includes regional community benefits that may assist rural areas in the basin. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Water quality and recreational improvements may benefit residents in urban areas along the river.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill establishes a program to improve water quality, protect fish and wildlife, and remediate toxic substances. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — Restoration projects must remain compatible with existing disaster risk reduction infrastructure.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill funds large-scale restoration and construction projects which may stimulate regional employment. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill notes that restoration projects may provide economic benefits to local or regional communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Program Director to make information and updates available to the public via a website.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Economic benefits from the program may assist local communities in the Ohio River Basin.
- 2/5/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana