The American Water Stewardship Act (H.R. 6422) is a bill that extends funding and modifies several water quality programs managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) until 2031. It includes programs like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the National Estuary Program. The bill also introduces changes such as recognizing the Mississippi Sound as a significant estuary and allowing grants from the BEACH Act program to be used for identifying contamination sources at recreational beaches. Additionally, it makes federal agencies eligible for grants under the San Francisco Estuary Partnership. The bill restricts funding for Clean Water Act programs to entities not associated with foreign countries of concern from 2026 to 2031. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on specific EPA programs.
Media outlets have highlighted the American Water Stewardship Act as a significant step in continuing the support for crucial water restoration programs, ensuring long-term environmental protection and improvement. The inclusion of the Mississippi Sound as a nationally significant estuary has been praised, as it could bring more attention and resources to that area. The bill's focus on identifying contamination sources at recreational beaches is seen as a proactive measure to protect public health.
Critics of the American Water Stewardship Act have raised concerns about the restrictions on funding to entities associated with foreign countries, arguing that it could limit international collaboration and expertise in addressing water quality issues. Some have also pointed out that the bill does not introduce new funding but merely extends existing programs, which may not be sufficient to address emerging environmental challenges.
Based on the data provided, there appears to be a low risk of conflicts of interest between Rep. Pete Stauber's donors and the subject matter of H.R. 6422: American Water Stewardship Act. The top donor industries for Stauber are Retired, Securities & Investment, and Government, none of which directly overlap with the bill's subject matter. While there is significant lobbying activity in the bill's policy area, there is no evidence of direct financial ties between these entities and Stauber's campaign. It is important for voters to understand that while there is always a potential for conflicts of interest in politics, in this case, the data does not suggest any direct conflicts. However, voters should continue to monitor campaign finance data for any changes that could potentially influence legislative decisions.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES INC. | GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES INC. | $700,000 |
| PACIFIC DEFENSE LLC | PACIFIC DEFENSE LLC | $140,000 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DLA PIPER LLP (US) | $80,000 |
| POET LLC | BOCKORNY GROUP, INC. | $80,000 |
| CHARTER BROKERAGE LLC | AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD | $80,000 |
| ADELANTO HEALTHCARE VENTURES, LLC | FOLEY & LARDNER LLP | $60,000 |
| CLEARVIEW AI | AXADVOCACY GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $30,000 |
| UTAH COALITION OF DIRECT SELLING COMPANIES | DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP | $20,000 |
| NORTON SOUND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | WINDWARD STRATEGIES | $20,000 |
| AFIDA MODERNIZATION COMMITTEE (INFORMAL COALITION) | KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP | $20,000 |
| CITY OF NOME | WINDWARD STRATEGIES | $20,000 |
| BFW ENGINEERING | JBS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC | $10,000 |
| HILLWOOD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC | AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD | $10,000 |
| ENPRO INDUSTRIES | AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD | $10,000 |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM | DLA PIPER LLP (US) | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Pete Stauber, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)