“One of my most important jobs in Congress is to strengthen the infrastructure of our communities,” Shuster said.  “These three bills will allow local water authorities to create better water and sewer systems that will remove harmful pollutants and provide safer drinking water for families across the district.”

“I am pleased that the House brought these bills to the floor in a bipartisan fashion.  This is the type of legislation we need to focus on, legislation that will protect our environment, safeguard our water systems and ensure that our families can rely on clean, pure water.”

H.R. 569, the “Water Quality Investment Act” which passed on Wednesday authorizes $1.8 billion over six years for grants to help states and municipalities control sewer overflows.  When a large storm hits, older sewers are prone to overflowing, which can release raw sewage into lakes streams and wells.  This legislation will help local communities fix these problems.

H.R. 700, the “Healthy Community Water Supply Act” passed on Thursday.  This legislation funds projects for alternative water projects to renew and promote the reuse of older existing water infrastructure.  H.R. 720, the “Water Quality Financing Act,” which passed on Friday, authorizes important grants to research and demonstrate methods to reduce, prevent, and eliminate pollution in our water.

In addition to these bills, Congressman Shuster joined his colleagues in the House to pass a Republican measure to the “Water Quality Investment Act” that would prevent any of the bill’s funds from being used to “lobby or to retain a lobbyist to attempt to influence either federal, state, or local governments or officials.”

“These bills serve to protect one of our greatest natural resources - water,” Shuster added.  “Taxpayer dollars in these bills should not be used to hire lobbyists to influence Congress on pet projects.  The approval of this Republican measure is a win for open and honest government.”