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Republicans Praise Bill Blocking Snake River Dam Research by Jennifer Yachnin E&E News, September 4, 2025

A House panel debated legislation that would stop
federal studies on the removal of the dams.

Republican lawmakers argued at a House hearing Wednesday that a quartet of dams on the Lower Snake River must be protected from even hypothetical removal.

The Republicans on the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries said any federal research should be halted in the wake of President Trump's decision to back out of a $1 billion settlement agreement that short-circuited a legal battle over the structures and their impacts on endangered fish populations.

The discussion was prompted by a bill from Washington Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse, H.R. 2073, the "Defending our Dams Act." It was considered Wednesday along with a handful of other bills.

Republican lawmakers praised Newhouse's proposal, which would block the use of any federal funds for studying the removal of the dams including how to address energy production, transportation or recreational benefits. . . .

Related Pages:
Trump Topples $1 Billion Columbia River Settlement Deal by Jennifer Yachnin, Greenwire, 6/12/25
Interior Casts Critical Eye on Columbia River Dams by Jennifer Yachnin, Greenwire, 6/20/24
US Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Block Snake River Dam Removals by Nathan Strout, Seafood Source, 5/28/24
Washington Congressman, Others Ramp Up Fight to Save Lower Snake River Dams by Carleen Johnson, Washington Examiner, 5/23/24

Nine New Bills Filed to Reverse Biden Administration's Snake River Dams Agreement by Annette Cary, Tri-City Herald, 4/7/24

NOAA: Breaching Snake River Dams 'Essential' to Save Salmon by Jennifer Yachnin, Greenwire, 7/12/22
Washington Punts on Fate of Lower Snake River Dams by Jeremy P. Jacobs, Greenwire, 12/23/19

H. R. 2073

To prohibit the use of Federal funds to allow or study the breach or alteration of the Lower Snake River dams, and for other purposes.

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 11, 2025

Mr. Newhouse (for himself, Mr. Baumgartner, Mr. Fulcher, and Mr. Bentz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

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A BILL

To prohibit the use of Federal funds to allow or study the breach or alteration of the Lower Snake River dams, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Defending our Dams Act".

SEC. 2. LOWER SNAKE RIVER DAMS.

1. Prohibition on Use of Federal Funds.--No Federal funds may be used to allow, lead to, or study the breach or functional alteration of, including study of power, flood control, or navigation replacement of, or provide dam removal technical assistance for, the Lower Snake River dams.
2. Prohibition on Spillage Operations.--
   1. In general.--The Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, may not carry out any spillage operations on any of the Lower Snake River dams unless such operations are approved by the Secretary and the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration.
   2. Considerations.--In determining whether to approve spillage operations under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Administrator shall consider all Columbia River System operations.
3. Definition.--In this section, the term "Lower Snake River dams" means the following dams in the State of Washington, authorized by section 2 of the Act of March 2, 1945 (chapter 19, 59 Stat. 21):
   1. Ice Harbor Dam.
   2. Lower Monumental Dam.
   3. Little Goose Dam.
   4. Lower Granite Dam.