Daines, Downing Bill Protecting Rural Water Infrastructure Passes U.S. Senate, Heads to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representative Troy Downing today announced that their bill to reauthorize the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act passed the U.S. Senate, and will now head to the President’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law. “ This is huge news for northeast Montana! Access to safe and reliable water infrastructure is an absolute necessity, and reauthorizing the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act will help provide clean water for Montana communities. Thank you Representative Downing for your work to get this through the U.S. House- now let’s get it signed into law!” said Daines. “Reliable access to clean water is essential for the Fort Peck Reservation and communities across northeastern Montana. The Senate’s passage of this reauthorization is an important step toward keeping critical water infrastructure projects on track. I look forward to seeing this legislation reach the president’s desk,” said Downing. “Clean, reliable water is essential to the health and future of our rural communities, and this bill will help ensure critical projects at Fort Peck and across northeast Montana keep moving forward. I was proud to be presiding over the Senate floor when this important legislation passed, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law,” said Sheehy. Read the full bill text HERE . Background: The bill will reauthorize the Fort Peck Dry Prairie Rural Water System. It extends authority for the Bureau of Reclamation to continue constructing essential water infrastructure in the Fort Peck Reservation and in Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley, and Daniels counties from December 2026 to December 2028. The Fort Peck Dry Prairie Reservation Rural Water System is one of four regional water systems in Montana. Read Daines’ press release from when he introduced the bill in January 2026 HERE . Statements of Support: “The Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority would like to thank Senator Daines, Senator Sheehy and Rep. Downing for their diligent work in seeing the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System to completion. As Senator Daines said, this vital drinking water project that has brought Tribal and non-Tribal communities together is 95% complete and is life changing for the people of Northeast Montana.” – Rick Knick, Chairman of Dry Prairie “The Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System would like to thank Senator Daines and Senator Sheehy for today’s passage of the bill to ensure that our partners, the Dry Prairie Rural Water System, will be able to complete the construction of their portion of the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System. This project is truly historic and is changing for the better the lives of the people in Northeast Montana.” – Rick Kirn, Chairman of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water Board ### Contact: Gabby Wiggins