Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
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 Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2025 seeks to amend the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. This amendment aims to provide more help to rural water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems. The Secretary is authorized to provide grants, zero percent interest loans, or one percent interest loans to eligible entities. Additionally, the Secretary may modify or refinance existing loans. This assistance is intended to maintain public health, safety, or order, or to help entities facing financial hardships in disadvantaged areas.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill specifically targets the improvement of water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems in rural areas.
- Scored +6
Does this invest in rural communities?
The bill provides direct financial support through grants and low-interest loans specifically for rural water and wastewater systems.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes aid for disadvantaged areas where water service costs may be high relative to income.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes new spending through grants and low-interest loans for water systems.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Aid for Water Systems: The Secretary can provide grants, zero percent interest loans, or one percent interest loans to rural water, wastewater, or waste disposal facilities (Section 2, subsection b(1)). This could help ensure these vital services remain functional.
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Relief for Existing Debt: The Secretary has the power to forgive principal or interest, modify loan terms, or refinance existing loans (Section 2, subsection b(2)). This could provide much-needed relief to entities already carrying debt.
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Public Health and Safety: Assistance can be used to ensure an entity has the resources to maintain public health, safety, or order (Section 2, subsection c(1)).
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Support for Distressed Areas: The bill allows for help to address financial hardships if a facility is located in a disadvantaged or economically distressed area (Section 2, subsection c(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loan Limitations: The Secretary is prohibited from providing assistance to refinance a loan that was originally provided under the new assistance guidelines established by this specific section (Section 2, subsection b(3)).
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 people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets the improvement of water, wastewater, and waste disposal systems in rural areas. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes aid for disadvantaged areas where water service costs may be high relative to income. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill helps stabilize essential water infrastructure which supports community stability.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides direct financial support through grants and low-interest loans specifically for rural water and wastewater systems.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill supports the maintenance of vital water and waste disposal systems necessary for public health. Does this make the country readier for the next outbreak? — Improving water and wastewater infrastructure supports basic sanitation and public health safety.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By providing assistance to disadvantaged and economically distressed areas, the bill helps stabilize essential services for low-income populations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes new spending through grants and low-interest loans for water systems.
- 2/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 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.
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina