Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act
Legislative Progress
Plain English Summary
AI-generatedSummary: Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act (H.R. 131)
The Arkansas Valley Conduit is a long-planned water pipeline project in southeastern Colorado. It is designed to deliver clean drinking water from the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project — a federal water system — to communities in the Arkansas River Valley region. Many of these communities currently rely on local groundwater that contains naturally occurring contaminants, making access to safe, reliable drinking water a significant challenge. This bill aims to push that pipeline project forward toward completion.
The bill would direct the federal government, specifically the Bureau of Reclamation, to finish constructing the Arkansas Valley Conduit. It primarily affects the roughly 50,000 residents living in Pueblo and surrounding counties in southeastern Colorado who would gain access to cleaner, federally delivered drinking water. Local water districts, municipalities, and rural communities in this area have been waiting decades for this project to be completed, as it was originally authorized back in 1962.
It is worth noting the bill's recent history in Congress. The President vetoed the bill, and the House of Representatives attempted to override that veto, which requires a two-thirds majority vote. The override effort fell short, with a vote of 248 to 177 — more than a simple majority in favor, but not enough to reach the two-thirds threshold required by the Constitution. As a result, the bill did not become law in this round, and the project's federal funding and timeline remain uncertain.
This summary is AI-generated for informational purposes. Always refer to the official bill text for legal accuracy.
Latest Action
The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
January 8, 2026
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Committees
Legislative History
Failed of passage in House over veto On passage, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 177, 1 Present (Roll no. 9).
Jan 8, 2026On passage, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 248 - 177, 1 Present (Roll no. 9).
Jan 8, 2026The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.
Jan 8, 2026Motion to refer the bill and accompanying veto message to the Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 8, 2026On motion to refer the bill and the accompanying veto message to the Committee on Natural Resources. Agreed to without objection.
Jan 8, 2026The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.
Jan 8, 2026DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order of the House of January 2, 2026, the unfinished business is the further consideration of the veto message of the President on H.R. 131. The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. (consideration: CR H205-208)
Jan 8, 2026The previous question was ordered without objection.
Jan 8, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the veto message of the President to H.R. 131, the Chair put the question on will the House, on reconsideration, pass the bill, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding. Under the Constitution, the vote must be taken by the yeas and nays. Further proceedings were postponed until a time to be announced.
Jan 8, 2026The Chair announced the unfinished business to be the consideration of the veto. (consideration: CR H212)
Jan 8, 2026POSTPONED CONSIDERATION OF VETO MESSAGE - The Chair announced that further consideration of the veto message and the bill, H.R. 131, is postponed until the legislative day of January 8, 2026. Agreed to without objection.
Jan 2, 2026The Chair announced that the objections of the President to H.R. 131 would be spread at large upon the Journal and the veto message would be printed as a House Document (119-119).
Jan 2, 2026The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.
Jan 2, 2026Vetoed by President.
Dec 29, 2025Vetoed by President.
Dec 29, 2025Presented to President.
Dec 18, 2025Presented to President.
Dec 18, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 17, 2025Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8766-8768)
Dec 16, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
Dec 16, 2025Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 16, 2025Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 16, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Jul 22, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 21, 2025Mr. Gosar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 21, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3497-3498)
Jul 21, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 131.
Jul 21, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3497-3498)
Jul 21, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3497-3498)
Jul 21, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-187.
Jul 10, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-187.
Jul 10, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 152.
Jul 10, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Jun 25, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 25, 2025Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 3, 2025