Jul 25, 2008 — The movement to essentially ban water diversions from the Great Lakes moved on to Washington this week. It took years for all eight Great Lakes states to pass the Great Lakes compact. Michigan was the last legislature to ratify it earlier this month. Now Congress needs to act for the compact to become law. Minnesota Democrat James Oberstar, who chairs an influential committee, has promised quick passage in the House. New York Senator Hillary Clinton helped introduce the measure in her chamber on Wednesday. To assess the political landscape awaiting the compact on Capitol Hill, David Sommerstein spoke with journalist Peter Annin. He wrote The Great Lakes Water Wars about the compact. He says it remains a mystery how lawmakers from other parts of the country will react.