Husted bill protecting Great Lakes fisheries advances to president’s desk

WASHINGTON-The Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act, sponsored by Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), was passed by the United States House of Representatives and the president will soon sign it into law. This will mark the third bill spearheaded by Husted signed into law since he took office.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Husted introduced this legislation together on Sept. 18, 2025.

"Whether commercial or recreational, fishing is a staple of Ohio's culture and economy, generating $5.5 billion for our state. Millions of Ohioans rely on-and enjoy-the experience and the bounty of fishing, from catching and eating perch or walleye to pursuing the many other sport fish found in Lake Erie and its tributaries. A healthy lake is essential to this way of life, and the U.S. Geological Survey's Great Lakes Science Center is on the front lines of ensuring Lake Erie remains a thriving and sustainable fishery," said Husted.

"I'm proud that the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act will soon become my third bill signed into law, and I will continue to support the resilient communities across Ohio that depend on these waters. This is a testament to what bipartisan cooperation can achieve when we focus on solving real problems for the American people," Husted concluded.

"I'm grateful to my colleagues in the House for taking action to pass this important legislation. The Great Lakes Science Center helps protect the freshwater fisheries and habitats that are invaluable economic and ecological assets for Michigan and the entire Great Lakes Region. I'm pleased to see this bill is one step closer to becoming law, and I'll never stop fighting to support our Great Lakes," said Peters.

The Great Lakes Fishery Research Program expired at the end of September 2025. The Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act will reauthorize the program for another five years through FY 2030. The research program provided the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center with dedicated funding to conduct critical research with direct impact on the multi-billion-dollar commercial fishing industry on the Great Lakes.

The science center provides the Great Lakes region, and other parts of the U.S., with critical scientific information for resource managers to restore, manage, and protect the wildlife and their habitats within the Great Lakes basin. Much of the work from the science center is centered around strengthening Ohio's rich fishing ecology.

This bipartisan legislation passed the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on Oct. 29, 2025. Senator Husted is the only member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works representing a Great Lakes state. The bill passed the Senate on Nov. 19, 2025. It passed the House of Representatives on Dec. 15, 2025.

Husted also had two other bills signed into law during his first year in Congress. Both of his laws reflect his ongoing commitment to affordability and improving everyday life for Ohio families:

• Husted's first bill became law in May, reversing a burdensome Biden energy rule that raised costs for taxpayers.

• The SMART OTC Act will modernize the Food and Drug Administration's process for giving certain prescription drugs status as over-the-counter (OTC) options. The SMART OTC Act builds on Husted's work to provide high-quality health care for Ohioans.

Full text of the bill is available here.