WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) spoke on the House Floor to highlight that California is drought-free for the first time in over three years, but missed another critical opportunity to capture and store this water for periods of drought. Rep. Valadao urged the Senate to keep his critical water legislation in the House-passed Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.

“Since October of 2022, over 28 million acre-feet of water has been sent to the ocean – enough surface supply to sustain our agriculture producers for an entire year. We can and must do better so our communities are prepared for both dry and wet years,” said Congressman Valadao.

Watch his full remarks here. 

Remarks as prepared:

M. Speaker,

For the first time in over three years, California is drought-free.

This year's rainfall has helped to replenish depleted groundwater and reservoirs, but we missed another opportunity to capture and store more of this valuable resource. 

Since October of 2022, over 28 million acre-feet of water has been sent to the ocean – enough surface supply to sustain our agriculture producers for an entire year.

We can and must do better so our communities are prepared for both dry and wet years.

Last week, the House passed my bill, the WATER for California Act, as part of the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.

The bill makes additional funding available for raising Shasta Dam, extends authorization of the successful water storage project program established by the WIIN Act, and codifies the 2019 biological opinions. 

These actions aim to provide a clean, reliable water supply to our communities and farmers who grow a quarter of the country’s food.

If California’s water problems continue to go unaddressed, the entire nation’s food security will be at risk.