On September 3rd, Congress is debating H.R. 2073, the so-called “Defending Our Dams Act,” a bill that locks in the failing status quo on the Lower Snake River and blocks real solutions for salmon, orcas, and Tribal treaty rights. If passed, it would gut environmental protections, stall the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI), and threaten Northwest communities who depend on healthy rivers. We can’t let that happen!
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES BY SEPTEMBER 3, 2025!
TELL CONGRESS VOTE NO ON H.R. 2073!
WHY YOUR COMMENTS MATTER:
Congress is moving forward on a dangerous package of bills led by H.R. 2073, the so-called “Defending Our Dams Act” that would lock in the failing status quo on the Lower Snake River.
If passed, these bills would:
Prohibit federal agencies from even studying options for energy modernization or changes to the Snake River’s transportation system, blocking progress toward a science-based cleaner, more resilient Northwest.
Undermine 1855 Treaty rights, commitments, and cultural practices of Northwest Tribes
Threaten local economies who rely on taxes generated from fishing.
Exempts the dams from compliance with key environmental laws, including the
Endangered Species Act, the National, Environmental Policy Act, and the Clean Water
Act.
Stall progress on the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI), a once-in-a-generation roadmap to restore salmon while modernizing energy and transportation.
This is an existential fight. If you take one action to restore the Columbia Snake River this year, this is it.
If these bills succeed, we may lose the ability to make progress for years—perhaps decades. We need to make sure Congress hears loud and clear: Vote NO on H.R. 2073 and any related anti-salmon bills.
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES BY SEPTEMBER 3, 2025!
Subject line: Vote NO on H.R. 2073 and related anti-salmon bills
Dear [Representative/Senator],
As your constituent, I am urging you to vote NO on H.R. 2073 (“Defending Our Dams Act”) and all related bills targeting the Lower Snake River. These bills block science-based solutions, undermine Tribal treaty rights, and push salmon and orcas closer to extinction.
The Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative (CBRI) offers a comprehensive path forward, investing in clean energy, modern transportation, and salmon recovery. Instead of clinging to outdated dam policies, Congress should support this plan and honor treaty commitments.
Please stand with Northwest communities, Tribes, and future generations by rejecting these harmful bills and protecting salmon, orcas, and fishing jobs.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[Your City & State or Zip Code]
SAMPLE LETTER:
SUBMIT YOUR LETTER
WANT TO DO MORE?
✹ Share this action on social media using the sample caption and tag your representative (↓ we’ve listed them at the bottom ↓)
"📢 Congress is moving forward on a dangerous package of bills led by H.R. 2073, the so-called “Defending Our Dams Act” that would lock in the failing status quo on the Lower Snake River. We can’t let that happen.
[Insert your reps tags] As your constituent I am urging you to vote NO on H.R. 2073 and protect salmon, orcas, and Tribal rights!
#StopHR2073 @columbiasnakeriver "
✹ Invite friends and family to send their letters too
"📢 Congress is pushing H.R. 2073 and other anti-salmon bills that would lock in extinction for salmon and orcas and break Tribal treaty promises. We can’t let that happen.
Take action now by sending a letter to your representatives and tell them: Vote NO on H.R. 2073 and protect salmon, orcas, and Tribal rights. Submissions due by September 3rd!
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-to-vote-no-on-hr-2073
#StopHR2073 @columbiasnakeriver"
✹ Call your Representatives
Use the script below to call your members of congress before September 3rd. Not sure how? Check out our guide here.
“Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY/ZIP CODE]. I’m calling as a constituent to urge [Representative/Senator LAST NAME] to vote NO on H.R. 2073, the so-called Defending Our Dams Act.
This bill would block salmon recovery, undermine Tribal treaty rights, threaten orca survival, and stall the Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative. We need solutions that restore salmon and modernize our energy, not lock in extinction.
Please let [Representative/Senator LAST NAME] know I strongly oppose H.R. 2073 and any related anti-salmon bills.”
✹ Follow us on Instagram @ColumbiaSnakeRiver to stay updated with next steps
✹ Join our mailing list at ColumbiaSnakeRiver.com to stay updated with next steps
WASHINGTON REPS INSTAGRAM TAGS:
✹ WA-1 - Northern Seattle suburbs, Bellingham – Rep. Suzan DelBene - @repdelbene
✹ WA-2 - Everett, NW coast - Rep Rick Larsen - @repricklarsen
✹ WA-3 - SW WA, Vancouver/Clark Co. - Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez - @repmgp
✹ WA-4 - Yakima, Columbia Basin, Tri-Cities - Rep Dan Newhouse - @repnewhouse
✹ WA-5 - Spokane, Inland NW - Rep. Michael Baumgartner - @repbaumgartner
✹ WA-6 - Olympic Peninsula, Tacoma, Kitsap - Rep Emily Randall - @repemilyrandall
✹ WA-7 - Seattle – Rep. Pramila Jayapal - @repjayapal
✹ WA-8 - East King Co., Wenatchee, Ellensburg - Rep Kim Schrier - @repkimschrier
✹ WA-9 - South Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kent - Rep Adam Smith - @repadamsmith
✹ WA-10 - Tacoma, Olympia, South Sound - Rep. Marilyn Strickland - @repstricklandwa
✹ WA - Statewide - Sen. Patty Murray – @PattyMurray
✹ WA - Statewide - Sen. Maria Cantwell – @SenatorCantwell
OREGON INSTAGRAM TAGS:
✹ OR-1 - NW Oregon, Portland suburbs, Tillamook - @repbonamici
✹ OR-2 - Eastern & Southern Oregon, rural - @repbentz
✹ OR-3 - Portland, Gresham, Hood River - Rep. Maxine Dexter @repdexteror
✹ OR-4 - Eugene, Corvallis, Oregon Coast - Rep. Val Hoyle @ValHoyle
✹ OR-5 - SE Portland suburbs, Bend, Marion/Linn Co. - Rep. Janelle Bynum @repbynum
✹ OR-6 - Salem, SW Portland suburbs, Yamhill, Polk - @repsalinas
✹ OR - Statewide - Sen. Ron Wyden – @SenRonWyden
✹ OR - Statewide - Sen. Jeff Merkley – @SenJeffMerkley
IDAHO REPS INSTAGRAM TAGS:
✹ ID-1 - Western Idaho, Lewiston, Clearwater Basin - Rep. Russ Fulcher - @RepRussFulcher
✹ ID-2 - Boise, Central Idaho - Rep. Mike Simpson - @congressmanmikesimpson
✹ Sen. Mike Crapo – Statewide – @SenatorMikeCrapo
✹ Sen. Jim Risch – Statewide – @SenatorRisch