Walberg Leads Bipartisan Push to Create Great Lakes Stamp, Expand Restoration Efforts

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) led a bipartisan group of members from Great Lakes states in introducing the Great Lakes Restoration Semipostal Stamp Act. The legislation would create a special postage stamp designed to raise money to support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) and strengthen preservation efforts.

“A healthy Great Lakes ecosystem is a key driver of Michigan’s economy and quality of life, boosting tourism, recreation, and safe drinking water. These vast benefits extend beyond Michigan to the Midwest region and our country as a whole. Since its inception, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has been an invaluable success story, and our bipartisan bill is another way that we can expand the program’s critical cleanup work, ensuring the Lakes can be enjoyed by future generations,” said Walberg.

Original co-sponsors of the legislation include: Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Angie Craig (MN-02), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), David Joyce (OH-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Bob Latta (OH-05), Andy Levin (MI-09), Lisa McClain (MI-10), Peter Meijer (MI-03), John Moolenaar (MI-04), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Claudia Tenney (NY-22), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), and Fred Upton (MI-06).

The Great Lakes Restoration Semipostal Stamp Act directs the United States Postal Service to issue a semipostal stamp with Great Lakes artwork. Citizens would then have the choice of purchasing the stamps at a price slightly above that of first-class postage, with the difference being transferred to support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The legislation comes at no additional cost to taxpayers.