Press Releases

The Hudson River Protection Act introduced by Representatives Lawler, Ryan, and Molinaro passed through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, teeing up the bill for a vote on the House floor in the coming months. This legislation would amend the 2020 Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act, removing any uncertainty related to geographic definitions (such as the Port of New York) and banning additional anchorages once and for all. 

"The Hudson River Protection Act will go a long way to preserving the natural beauty of our Hudson Valley communities - something that has been a top priority of mine from day one," said Congressman Lawler. "I was glad to see the Hudson River Protection Act pass the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. I’m going to continue working with my Hudson Valley neighbors and colleagues Pat Ryan and Marc Molinaro to make sure our crucial legislation becomes law."

"Getting anything through this Congress is not easy. But we owe it to our kids, our seniors, and future generations to fight tooth and nail to protect our Hudson River and get this bill across the finish line," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "Never again will big corporations be able to turn our Hudson River into a parking lot for dangerous barges. This victory proves that when our community stands up with one voice to demand change, we can accomplish anything."

"I’m a conservationist and over the span of several decades have championed causes to clean up the Hudson alongside Congressman Pat Ryan, Riverkeeper, Scenic Hudson, and other local partners," said Congressman Molinaro. "With this bipartisan bill, we are taking another step to protect the Hudson and ensuring we are not doing anything that could erase the progress we’ve made."

"Riverkeeper is thrilled to see the inclusion of the Hudson River Protection Act within the U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization. This crucial legislation reflects a significant step forward in safeguarding the Hudson River from the risks of increased anchoring by large vessels in critical habitat areas," said Drew Gamils, Riverkeeper Staff Attorney. "We thank Congressmen Ryan, Molinaro, and Lawler for prioritizing the concerns of Hudson Valley communities."

"We are grateful to Congressmen Pat Ryan, Marcus Molinaro, and Michael Lawler for their leadership in including the Hudson River Protection Act in the Coast Guard Reauthorization bill," said Ned Sullivan, President of Scenic Hudson. "This critical legislation will protect the inspirational beauty, health, and safety of the Hudson and communities along the river. We remain committed to working with our Congressional delegation and Riverkeeper to safeguard the Hudson Valley's drinking water, wildlife, and people now and for generations to come."

The legislation introduced alongside Congressmen Ryan and Molinaro amends the 2020 Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act, effectively banning additional anchorages on the Hudson once and for all. 

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.