Newhouse Applauds House Passage of Bill to Alleviate Drought Impact, Streamline Surface Water Storage Projects

Statement

Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) issued the following statement after the House voted 245-176 to approve H.R. 2898, the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015, which includes legislation he introduced earlier this year, the Bureau of Reclamation Surface Water Storage Streamlining Act.

"I applaud the House for approving this vital legislation aimed at alleviating the drought's impacts through short-term and long-term measures to bring our water infrastructure into the 21st Century," said Rep. Newhouse. "The drought crisis facing Central Washington and much of the West makes it incumbent upon Congress to take action. As a third-generation farmer, I understand from personal experience that access to water is vital to the livelihoods and economic prosperity of Washingtonians. Improvements made by this legislation to accelerate the Bureau of Reclamation's permitting process for surface water projects will better equip Central Washington and the nation to respond to and mitigate the effects of drought. I urge the Senate to swiftly approve this legislation."

Source