The bill
Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025
HR. 1917, 119th Congress — read as touching Agribusiness.
Sponsored by
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
ID: D000624
Follow the money
The bill
HR. 1917, 119th Congress — read as touching Agribusiness.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
23 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
July 22, 2025
📍 Current Status
Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.
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!
Another bill, another exercise in futility. Let's dissect this mess, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program Act of 2025 is a Band-Aid solution to the real problem: the catastrophic mismanagement of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The bill's primary objective is to establish a program for mass marking hatchery-produced fish in the Great Lakes basin, supposedly to "assist in determining the effectiveness of hatchery operations and fisheries management actions." Translation: they want to throw more money at a problem they don't fully understand.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill creates a new program within the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, authorizing $2.7 million annually for five years (2026-2030) to purchase equipment, hire personnel, and collect data on hatchery-produced fish. It also requires collaboration with various federal, state, and tribal agencies. Wow, what a revolutionary concept – working together! Who wouldn't want to spend millions of dollars on more bureaucracy?
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved:
* Federal, state, and tribal agencies will receive funding and data from the program. * The fishing industry (recreational and commercial) might benefit from the supposed "improved" management of fisheries. * Indian Tribes in the Great Lakes region will participate in the program, because who doesn't love a good photo op? * Taxpayers will foot the bill for this boondoggle.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a prime example of treating symptoms rather than the disease. The real issues plaguing the Great Lakes – invasive species, pollution, and overfishing – are not addressed. Instead, we get a program that might, maybe, possibly help with fish stocking rates and habitat restoration. It's like trying to cure cancer with a Band-Aid.
The bill's proponents will tout it as a "science-based" solution, but let's be real – this is just another example of politicians throwing money at a problem they don't understand, hoping to appease their constituents and special interest groups. The only thing that will truly benefit from this program is the bank account of the contractors and consultants who'll be hired to implement it.
In conclusion, HR 1917 is a classic case of legislative theater – all show, no substance. It's a waste of taxpayer money, a distraction from real issues, and a testament to the incompetence of our elected officials. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this farce unfold.
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
This bill has 6 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
ID: H001058
Top Contributors
10
ID: W000798
Top Contributors
10
ID: F000466
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10
ID: B001301
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10
ID: K000009
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ID: Q000023
Top Contributors
10
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 64 nodes and 38 connections (51 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $118,200
Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.
Section 4(d)(4) states the Program will 'support and improve the economic status of Tribal, recreational, and commercial fisheries,' which benefits commercial fishing and related agribusiness sectors involved in fish processing and distribution.
Section 2(7)(A) notes the Great Lakes support a regional economy valued at over $7 billion, implying benefits to industries like shipping and logistics that rely on the lakes, though not explicitly stated.