The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 3428, the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions Review Act, introduced by Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08). The bill passed unanimously and aims to strengthen Congressional oversight of three river basin commissions: the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB).
Representative Bresnahan commented on the legislation’s purpose, stating, “Over the years, rivers in the Mid-Atlantic have grown in importance as our populations have grown and water usage has increased,” said Rep. Bresnahan.“Due to this expansion, the commissions that manage these rivers have been handed a growing amount of responsibility that has largely gone unchecked by the federal government, despite their involvement across state lines. My legislation will address this lapse by directing studies for recommendations and increasing federal oversight on these organizations, and I look forward to advocating for its passage in the Senate.”
The act directs the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review each commission’s ethics practices, public communication efforts, and fulfillment of federal responsibilities. This move follows concerns raised by a state-level audit regarding ethics compliance and use of funds at one of the commissions.
T&I Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06) supported the bill’s passage: “Congressman Bresnahan’s good government bill ensures that federal river basin commissions for the Susquehanna, Delaware, and Potomac rivers are properly using their federal resources and spending taxpayers’ dollars wisely,” said T&I Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06). “Congress has a duty to conduct its oversight responsibilities over the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions. This legislation increases accountability and oversight of the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions, especially after a state-level audit of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission raised concerns about ethics compliance and appropriate use of funds. I want to thank Rep. Bresnahan for his work on this bill and his leadership on this issue.”
The legislation previously advanced through the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure earlier in June 2025.
