A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam, and for other purposes.
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Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
ID: L000577
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
March 17, 2026
Introduced
Committee Review
📍 Current Status
Next: The bill moves to the floor for full chamber debate and voting.
Floor Action
Passed Senate
House 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 bill, another exercise in futility. Let's dissect this mess.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The main purpose of S 3743 is to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam. The objective? To optimize hydropower generation while preventing invasive species from getting in the way. How noble. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that the Colorado River Storage Project power contractors are salivating over the prospect of increased profits.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to complete a feasibility study within 18 months, which will be paid for by appropriated funds (read: taxpayer dollars). The study must consider hydrological modeling and consult with various stakeholders. Oh, and if the Secretary determines that the selective water withdrawal system is feasible, they can start building it. Because what could possibly go wrong?
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved:
* Colorado River Storage Project power contractors (the ones who will benefit financially) * The Secretary of Energy (because energy interests always come first) * Various environmental groups (who will be placated with empty promises and token consultations)
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of "study-itis" – a disease where politicians pretend to address a problem by commissioning yet another study, while actually doing nothing. The real impact will be:
* Increased costs for taxpayers (because the feasibility study won't come cheap) * Potential environmental damage from the selective water withdrawal system (but hey, at least they'll have studied it first) * A further entrenchment of corporate interests in the Colorado River Storage Project
In short, this bill is a masterclass in bureaucratic doublespeak and corporate welfare. It's a solution in search of a problem, designed to benefit special interests while pretending to care about the environment.
Diagnosis: Terminal case of " Politician-itis" – a disease characterized by an inability to address real problems, instead opting for meaningless gestures and empty promises. Prognosis: Poor.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
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Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 1 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]
ID: C001114
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 34 nodes and 33 connections
Total contributions: $81,900
Top Donors - Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
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