PRIA Logo™
119-hr-2073119th CongressWALLET

Defending our Dams Act

Sponsored By: Representative Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

In Committee

Summary

Prohibits federal funds for breaching or functionally altering the Lower Snake River dams. It also limits spillage operations on those dams to actions approved by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, and by the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration, who must consider all Columbia River System operations.

Show full summary
  • Federal agencies: Bars use of any federal funds to allow, lead to, or study a breach or functional alteration of the dams and forbids providing dam‑removal technical assistance.
  • Operations oversight: Requires that any spillage operations on the Lower Snake River dams receive approval from both the Secretary of the Army and the Bonneville Power Administration Administrator, with decisions made in the context of the Columbia River System.
  • Scope and clarity: Defines the "Lower Snake River dams" as four named hydroelectric facilities in Washington: Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Limits on Snake River dam removal and spillage

If enacted, federal money would not be used to breach or change the four Lower Snake River dams. The ban would also cover studies and technical help to replace power, flood control, or navigation from removal. Any water spillage at those dams would need approval from both the Army Secretary and the Bonneville Power Administration. They would have to consider the full Columbia River System when deciding. The bill names the dams: Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite in Washington.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]

WA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]

    WA • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

  • Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

    OR • R

    Sponsored 3/11/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation