Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/6893
Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

ID: S000185

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Subcommittee Hearings Held

March 26, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the intellectually bankrupt members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act is a reauthorization bill that claims to support the restoration and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. How quaint. In reality, it's just another vehicle for politicians to pretend they care about the environment while lining their pockets with campaign contributions from special interest groups.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office, because who doesn't love a good bureaucratic boondoggle? It also amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 to give the Director of the Chesapeake Bay Office more power to administer and operate the office. Oh, and it adds some buzzwords like "integrated ecosystem assessments" and "coastal hazards and climate change" to sound vaguely scientific. How cute.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: NOAA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Chesapeake Executive Council, and various state and federal agencies. You know, the same people who have been "working together" for decades to "protect" the Chesapeake Bay, with glorious results (said no one ever). And, of course, the real stakeholders: the lobbyists, special interest groups, and campaign donors who will benefit from this bill.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill will accomplish what all such bills do: nothing meaningful. It will provide a temporary PR boost for the politicians involved, allowing them to claim they're "doing something" about the environment. Meanwhile, the Chesapeake Bay will continue to suffer from pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction, because that's what happens when you prioritize political posturing over actual policy.

In conclusion, this bill is a symptom of a deeper disease: the chronic incompetence and corruption that plagues our government. It's a classic case of " legislative lupus" – a disease where politicians' self-interest and greed devour any semblance of integrity or accountability. And we, the voters, are the enablers, repeatedly electing these charlatans to office. Bravo, America. You've managed to create a system where the only thing more abundant than campaign promises is the hypocrisy that accompanies them.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement State & Local Government Affairs Congressional Rules & Procedures Transportation & Infrastructure Small Business & Entrepreneurship Civil Rights & Liberties
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$52,150
27 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$52,150
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0

No PAC contributions found

1
FAIRWAY INVESTMENTS, LLC
2 transactions
$16,500
2
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
2 transactions
$6,600
3
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
2 transactions
$4,000
4
MK INTERNATIONAL LLC
1 transaction
$3,300
5
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
6
FREEDOM TRAILERS LLC
1 transaction
$2,000
7
PINE LAND PROPERTY LLC
1 transaction
$2,000
8
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$1,650
9
OSWALD COOKE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
1 transaction
$1,500
10
HUDSON CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
11
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$1,000
12
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE
1 transaction
$1,000
13
BUZZ KILL HONEY FARM
1 transaction
$1,000
14
MONTY VEAZEY AND COMPANY
1 transaction
$1,000
15
ON POINT HEALTH LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
16
STARPORT LOGISTICS. LLC
1 transaction
$1,000
17
GILBERT PROPERTIES
1 transaction
$500
18
BACON & BACON
1 transaction
$500
19
JUDD LASSETER FARMS
1 transaction
$500
20
PINEYWOODS FARMS
1 transaction
$500
21
CLEVER 202 LLC
1 transaction
$500
22
FRIENDS OF TIM RUDD
1 transaction
$500
23
HOGAN'S FARM
1 transaction
$300
24
D. CONRAD HARPER MD LLC
1 transaction
$250
25
SCHRAMM INVESTMENTS LLC
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 6 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

ID: W000804

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
PAC ADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 17, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
PAC ADA, OK
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$3,300
Dec 14, 2023
4
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Feb 8, 2024
5
KEHOE, MICHAEL PATRICK
Individual RICHMOND, VA
$13,200
Jun 2, 2023
6
GIFFORD, BILLY
ALTRIA GROUP INC. CEO
Individual MIDLOTHIAN, VA
$6,600
Sep 26, 2023
7
PAYNE, DANIEL E.
PAYNE INC CEO
Individual FREDERICKSBURG, VA
$6,600
Nov 29, 2023
8
CASEY, ARTHUR S.
CASEY AUTO GROUP PRESIDENT
Individual NEWPORT NEWS, VA
$6,600
Mar 29, 2023
9
PAYNE, DANIEL E.
PAYNE INC CEO
Individual FREDERICKSBURG, VA
$6,600
Nov 29, 2023
10
KANTNER, CHRIS
UKROP'S FOOD GROUP PRESIDENT
Individual RICHMOND, VA
$6,600
Jan 12, 2024

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

ID: K000399

Top Contributors

10

1
AIPAC- EARMARKS
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$2,000
Oct 22, 2024
2
PEAKE FOR SENATE
COM LYNCHBURG, VA
$500
Jan 9, 2024
3
PEAKE FOR SENATE
COM LYNCHBURG, VA
$250
Jan 9, 2024
4
KEHOE, MICHAEL
KINSALE MGMT INC CEO
Individual RICHMOND, VA
$13,200
Jun 8, 2023
5
MITCHUM, ELZA
C & M INDUSTRIES PRESIDENT
Individual CHESAPEAKE, VA
$6,600
Oct 18, 2023
6
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual MIAMI BEACH, FL
$6,600
Oct 17, 2023
7
PERRY, J DOUGLAS
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual NORFOLK, VA
$6,600
Nov 6, 2023
8
WEEKLEY, RICHARD
SELF EMPLOYED REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Nov 8, 2023
9
GILLIAM, MARVIN
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual BRISTOL, VA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2024
10
BOHANNON, DAVID
LONDON BRIDGE TRADING INC. PRESIDENT
Individual VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
$6,600
May 23, 2024

Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]

ID: E000301

Top Contributors

10

1
CARROLL HYNSON AND SON
Organization ANNAPOLIS, MD
$1,000
Sep 26, 2024
2
DARCARS
Organization BETHESDA, MD
$500
May 28, 2024
3
DARCARS
Organization BETHESDA, MD
$500
Jun 14, 2024
4
ROCK REALTY LLC
Organization ELKRIDGE, MD
$250
Jun 30, 2024
5
GROSSMAN, JENNIFER
SHALOM TIKVAH DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Individual BALTIMORE, MD
$6,600
Mar 28, 2024
6
GROSSMAN, JENNIFER
Individual BALTIMORE, MD
$6,600
Mar 28, 2024
7
BARTLETT, BRANDON
RISE UP COFFEE OWNER
Individual ANNAPOLIS, MD
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
8
DALTON, NANCY
ANNAPOLIS MICRO SYSTEMS INC. PRESIDENT OF TECH COMPANY
Individual ANNAPOLIS, MD
$3,300
Oct 29, 2024
9
GABEL, CAROLINE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual CHESTERTOWN, MD
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
10
SAPPERSTEIN, MARK
28 WALKER DEVELOPMENT REAL ESTATE
Individual BALTIMORE, MD
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

ID: N000147

Top Contributors

0

No contribution data available

Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]

ID: I000058

Top Contributors

10

1
CITIZENS FOR FROSH
Organization BETHESDA, MD
$950
Jun 28, 2023
2
MATEYA CONSULTING LLC
Organization CLARKSVILLE, MD
$250
Apr 24, 2024
3
CHESLEY, WILLIAM F.
W.F. CHESLEY REAL ESTATE PRESIDENT & CEO
Individual CROFTON, MD
$3,300
Dec 17, 2024
4
MILLIKEN, STEPHEN
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Dec 5, 2024
5
ROWE, ROBINSON S. ESQ.
ROWE WEINSTEIN & SOHN PLLC ATTORNEY
Individual ROCKVILLE, MD
$3,300
Oct 19, 2023
6
SANDBERG, SHERYL
NOT EMPLOYED PHILANTHROPIST
Individual SAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
7
MILLIKEN, STEPHEN
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Oct 7, 2023
8
MICHAEL, KENNETH
NAI THE MICHAEL COMPANIES, INC. CHAIRMAN
Individual LANHAM, MD
$3,300
Mar 20, 2023
9
PETERS, DOUGLAS
THE PETERS GROUP SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
Individual BOWIE, MD
$3,300
Mar 27, 2023
10
PANITCH, IRWIN
DELOITTE TAX ATTORNEY
Individual POTOMAC, MD
$3,300
Mar 6, 2023

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

ID: M001227

Top Contributors

10

1
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 24, 2023
2
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization LAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 24, 2023
3
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 21, 2023
4
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 21, 2023
5
STARLEY LLC
Organization NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA
$250
Oct 13, 2024
6
STARLEY LLC
Organization NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA
$250
Oct 13, 2024
7
RICE, NANCY
LITTLE DIFFICULT RUN CONSULTANT
Individual VIENNA, VA
$6,600
Sep 23, 2024
8
RICE, NANCY
LITTLE DIFFICULT RUN CONSULTANT
Individual VIENNA, VA
$6,600
Sep 23, 2024
9
ABRAMSON, RONALD D
BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY ATTORNEY
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 15, 2023
10
FRIED, BARBARA J.
FRIED COMPANIES INC. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
Individual CROZET, VA
$3,300
Dec 19, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 42 nodes and 42 connections

Total contributions: $71,300

Top Donors - Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

27 Orgs