WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)-- The U.S. House has voted to extend a program that has spent $1.6 billion on efforts to clean up the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has drawn bipartisan support from lawmakers across the eight-state region since President Barack Obama proposed it in 2010. It funds projects that remove polluted sediments, fight invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels, restore wildlife habitat and prevent runoff that causes harmful algae blooms.
As approved Tuesday, the legislation would continue the program five more years and authorize spending $300 million annually. But additional votes would be required each year to provide the money.
The bill now goes to the Senate.