WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 131 · 119th Congress

Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act

VetoedWater Resources Development
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Passed HouseJul 21, 2025
Passed SenateDec 16, 2025
To PresidentDec 18, 2025
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Vetoed. Latest step, Jan 8, 2026: The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House. The House voted it down 248–177. In the House, Iowa's representatives split: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn no. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 131 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Arkansas Valley Conduit, Colorado
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

    From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, latest edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

    What it does

    Sourced

    Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act

    This bill reduces payments that communities within the Arkansas River Valley must pay to the Bureau of Reclamation for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a pipeline in Colorado for delivering water from the Pueblo Reservoir to such communities. Specifically, it removes interest payments and extends the repayment period to 100 years.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025).

    Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

    What has happened

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    1. Jan 8, 2026The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House.House floor actions
    2. 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.House floor actions
    3. Jan 8, 2026The previous question was ordered without objection.House floor actions
    4. 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)House floor actions
    5. Jan 8, 2026On motion to refer the bill and the accompanying veto message to the Committee on Natural Resources. Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    6. Jan 8, 2026Motion to refer the bill and accompanying veto message to the Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
    7. 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). Roll call recordHouse floor actions
    8. Jan 8, 2026Failed 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). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    9. Jan 8, 2026The Chair announced the unfinished business to be the consideration of the veto. (consideration: CR H212)House floor actions
    10. Jan 8, 2026The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.House floor actions
    11. Jan 2, 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.House floor actions
    12. 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).House floor actions
    13. Jan 2, 2026The Chair laid before the House the veto message from the President.House floor actions
    14. Dec 29, 2025Vetoed by President.House floor actions
    15. Dec 29, 2025Vetoed by President.Library of Congress
    16. Dec 18, 2025Presented to President.House floor actions
    17. Dec 18, 2025Presented to President.Library of Congress
    18. Dec 17, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
    19. Dec 16, 2025Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8766-8768)Senate
    20. Dec 16, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.Library of Congress
    21. Dec 16, 2025Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
    22. Dec 16, 2025Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
    23. Jul 22, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
    24. Jul 21, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
    25. Jul 21, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3497-3498)House floor actions
    26. 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)Library of Congress
    27. Jul 21, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 131.House floor actions
    28. Jul 21, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3497-3498)House floor actions
    29. Jul 21, 2025Mr. Gosar moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
    30. Jul 10, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 152.House floor actions
    31. Jul 10, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-187.House floor actions
    32. Jul 10, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-187.Library of Congress
    33. Jun 25, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.House committee actions
    34. Jun 25, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
    35. Jan 3, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
    36. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
    37. Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show key steps only

    Recorded votes

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    1. Jan 8, 2026 · HouseFailed 248–177
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra no, Ashley Hinson no, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn no
      Passage, Objections of the President To The Contrary Notwithstanding · needed two-thirds
      R 35 yes, 177 noD 213 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    • Jeff Hurd R-CO-3