U.S. lawmakers are pushing for a stronger federal response to golden mussels, an invasive species found on the U.S. west coast that can cause massive damage to waterways and infrastructure.
“Golden mussels have spread across California with alarming speed, infesting our waterways, and destroying infrastructure and ecosystems,” U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-California said in a release. “It is clear that we must intensify efforts with local, state, and federal partners to prevent further spread of this invasive species to our water systems, and to address threats to our water quality. As millions of Californians depend on the Delta and other critical sources of clean drinking water, we must strengthen our response to eradicating this problem once and for all – in order to put the health of the public first.”
Originating from China and Southeast Asia, golden mussels were first detected in California in 2024. Oregon officials also identified golden mussels on a watercraft in their state in April 2026. Those instances have led state governments to begin coordinated responses to tackle the invasive species, with Washington reclassifying golden mussels as a Prohibited Level 1 invasive species in April.
At the federal level, Schiff and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-California) have introduced the Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act in the Senate to help address the threat. If passed, the legislation would establish a demonstration program to prevent, eradicate, and control golden mussels, track their dispersal and create an early warning systems for future infestations, and provide grant funding for local or state efforts to tackle golden mussels.
“Golden mussels pose a threat to our water infrastructure by rapidly infesting our waterways across the state and releasing byproducts like nitrogen and phosphorus that can cause harmful algal blooms,” Padilla said. “Our bill would invest in immediate steps to prevent their invasion, including by deploying new technology, inspection stations, and rapid response programs to better address this invasive species and protect our fragile Delta ecosystems.”
A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2025 by U.S. Representative Josh Harder (D-California).
“Don’t let the name fool you, these golden mussels are sharp, slimy, and stinking invaders that clog our waterways with sludge and threaten our fragile Delta ecosystems. We need to act now to stop their advance,” Harder said at the time. “This bill protects our waterways and our Delta economy by jumpstarting eradication efforts right now, not when it’s far too late.”
