Environment & Energy Congressional Round-Up | October 13 - October 17, 2025

Highlights:

Reps. Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J,) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act (H.R.5762/S.2926) to restore and protect the Hudson, Mohawk, and Raritan Rivers’ water resources. For more information on healthy rivers, check out EESI’s article, which highlights key learnings from EESI’s Resilient and Healthy Rivers Briefing Series.

Reps. Mike Ezell (R-Miss), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) introduced the Marine Aquaculture Research and Advancement (MARA) Act of 2025 (H.R.5746). The bill, if passed, would support efforts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to sustainably expand offshore aquaculture through expanded scientific research, streamlined permitting, bolstered workforce and infrastructure development, and guardrails for responsible growth.

House representatives introduced two bills to continue funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Md.) along with eight Democratic cosponsors introduced H.R.5777 to direct FEMA to continue certain reimbursements during lapses in appropriations. Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) and Troy Carter (D-La.) introduced H.R.5780 to direct FEMA to continue funds from the Disaster Relief Fund during lapses in appropriations.

To catch up on all of the recent environmental and energy legislation in Congress, read the pdf here.