Pledging
These are the original issues in this subcategory
- RECYCLING
- CLEAN WATER ACT
- GREAT LAKES
The Great Lakes contain 20% of our planet’s fresh water, and at least 40 million Americans depend on these impressive bodies of water for their water needs. The Great Lakes support many fragile ecosystems and sustain large shipping, fishing and tourism industries that greatly affect the economy and people of its eight surrounding states. Among other things, these industries are now threatened by pollution and invasive species. As with many American lakes, our Great Lakes are experiencing increased algae and weed growth which is often caused by excessive nutrients such as treated sewage and farm run-off.
Discharges from the ballasts of ships entering the Great Lakes contain invasive species such as zebra mussels, spiny water fleas and round gobies. These invaders can cause devastating declines in the diversity of native species. Since the 1990s, environmentalists have regularly sued the EPA to tighten its restrictions on discharges, and to require ballast water to be treated with ultraviolet light or strained through filtration systems.
Pending Legislation: Senate version of H.R.1917 - Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 (Passed House 07/22/2025)
Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI)
Status: Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Chair: Sen. Shelley Capito (WV)
Discharges from the ballasts of ships entering the Great Lakes contain invasive species such as zebra mussels, spiny water fleas and round gobies. These invaders can cause devastating declines in the diversity of native species. Since the 1990s, environmentalists have regularly sued the EPA to tighten its restrictions on discharges, and to require ballast water to be treated with ultraviolet light or strained through filtration systems.
Pending Legislation: Senate version of H.R.1917 - Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 (Passed House 07/22/2025)
Sponsor: Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI)
Status: Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Chair: Sen. Shelley Capito (WV)
- I oppose reforming current Great Lakes policy wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Leader John Thune (SD).
- I support monitoring, scientific assessments, and research in support of fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin by: 1.) Executing a comprehensive, multi-lake, freshwater fisheries science program. 2.) Working cooperatively with regional, state, tribal, and local governments. 3.) Consulting with interested groups, including academia and Canadian agencies. 4.) Providing deepwater ecosystem research, fish behavior and habitat reports, fish population assessments, invasive species research and the use of biological equipment and laboratory capabilities necessary to support fishery management decisions and studies that assess impacts on Great Lakes fishery resources. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Shelley Capito (WV) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
- I support monitoring, scientific assessments, and research in support of fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin by:
1.) Executing a comprehensive, multi-lake, freshwater fisheries science program.
2.) Working cooperatively with regional, state, tribal, and local governments.
3.) Consulting with interested groups, including academia and Canadian agencies.
4.) Providing deepwater ecosystem research, fish behavior and habitat reports, fish population assessments, invasive species research and the use of biological equipment and laboratory capabilities necessary to support fishery management decisions and studies that assess impacts on Great Lakes fishery resources.
And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Sen. Shelley Capito (WV) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
You May Pledge Your Support For This Issue With A Monetary
Donation And By Writing A Letter To Your Representatives
Donation And By Writing A Letter To Your Representatives
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Pledge Period - Opening Date
March 2, 2026 @00:01 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)
Pledge Period - Closing Date
March 8, 2026 @23:59 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)
Trustee Election - Begins
March 9, 2026