September 10, 2025 — A bill from a Republican U.S. lawmaker that would block the federal government from removing four dams on the Lower Snake River has renewed debate in Congress over the future of salmon recovery in the Pacific Northwest.
“I have been working hard with allies of the Lower Snake River dams to ensure we do everything possible to protect them, and this hearing today marks another success in that effort. This legislation guarantees that federal funds will not be used to breach, or even study breaching, the dams and protects the Army Corps and [the Bonneville Power Administration’s] rights to control spillage operations,” U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-Washington) – the sponsor of the bill – said in a release.