JOINT RELEASE: Scholten and Stauber Lead Bipartisan Letter to Preserve Our Great Lakes
The co-leads teamed up to ensure Congress will fortify protections before the end-of-year deadline.
WASHINGTON—Representatives Hillary Scholten (MI-03) and Peter Stauber (MN-8) have joined forces to write a bipartisan letter calling on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure to hold a markup on H.R. 7257, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024 (GLRI). GLRI aims to ensure safe water for recreation and drinking, eliminate invasive species—including harmful algal blooms—and protect and restore native habitats.
“When seeking ways to preserve our natural treasures, doing so without breaking the bank is top of mind for this frugal Dutch mom,” said Scholten. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is crucial to protecting Lake Michigan’s ecosystem–and the economy that depends on its cleanliness – and is a responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Every dollar of GLRI funding results in approximately $3.35 in economic activity. That’s an incredible return on investment for this kind of program.! The common-sense nature of this bill makes it easy to find common ground, so I am proud I can work with my Republican colleague–Mr. Stauber–to advocate for the program’s extension.”
“Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes are national treasures, a key pillar of our economy, and the backdrop of countless special memories for my family and many others,” said Stauber. “Protecting the Great Lakes has always been a top priority of mine, and I am proud to advocate for this bipartisan bill that will support ecosystem restoration, combat the spread of invasive species, and keep our waters clean. This bill has already passed the Senate, so it is imperative that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee quickly mark it up, opening the door for a vote in the House of Representatives.”