The Senate and House Great Lakes Task Forces, established in the 1980s, are bipartisan working groups in Congress that address critical Great Lakes issues. Members work together to build support for key regional programs to enhance environmental quality and economic development throughout the Great Lakes basin. The Task Forces convene member-level and staff-level events, including meetings, hearings, and briefings. They also collaborate to exercise agency oversight, and advance legislative and appropriation initiatives.

Senator Peters has been a longtime advocate for the Great Lakes. He has been a member of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force since he was first elected in 2015, and before that was a member of the House Great Lakes Task Force from 2009-14. During his time in the Senate, Senator Peters has championed Great Lakes restoration and protection, advanced drinking water improvements and PFAS standards and secured funding for infrastructure projects including ports and the Soo Locks.

“The Great Lakes are essential to our economy, environment, and way of life in Michigan,” Senator Peters said. “As someone who has made protecting the Great Lakes a top priority throughout my years in public service, I’m honored to serve as Co-Chair of this important Task Force. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure we’re providing the resources necessary to keep the Great Lakes healthy and vibrant for generations to come.”

Senator Moreno was sworn in as a Senator from Ohio in January 2025. He has lived in Northeast Ohio for 20 years, and owned a chain of car dealerships in the greater Cleveland area and beyond. Senator Moreno has already begun work on Great Lakes issues during his short time in the Senate, co-sponsoring the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025 and speaking at the Great Lakes Day Congressional Breakfast Reception.

“The Great Lakes are a cornerstone of our lifestyle in the Midwest, and Lake Erie is a crucial resource for Northeast Ohio,” said Senator Moreno. “I’m grateful to serve as the Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force to protect the Great Lakes and ensure our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are able to utilize them.”

The Northeast-Midwest Institute’s Great Lakes Washington Program works closely with the House and Senate Great Lakes Task Forces, providing astute and timely direction and staff support on protection, restoration and beneficial use of the Great Lakes.

Alongside Senators Peters, Moreno, Young and Klobuchar, the following senators are also members of the Great Lakes Task Force: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN).