WASHINGTON, D.C. — With the U.S. Senate's approval, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024 (GLRI) moves one step closer to securing the health and sustainability of one of America's most treasured resources.

"The Great Lakes are the lifeblood of our region, sustaining our health, economy, and the environment," said Rebecca Meuninck, Great Lakes regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation. "We commend Senators Debbie Stabenow and J.D. Vance for championing this essential work and call on the full U.S. House of Representatives to follow suit on this essential, bipartisan bill without delay. The stakes couldn't be higher for the people, wildlife, and economies that rely on the Great Lakes.” 

The GLRI is the largest investment in the health of the Great Lakes, addressing critical issues like pollution, invasive species, and habitat restoration. The Great Lakes provide drinking water to more than 40 million people, support a $6 trillion regional economy, and are a national wonder, holding 20 percent of the world's surface freshwater.