Letter to Dianne Feinstein, Senator for California - House Passes Royce-Supported California Drought Relief Legislation

Letter

Dear Senator Feinstein,

It has come to our attention that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources plans to hold a business meeting tomorrow, July 13, to markup numerous pieces of legislation related to natural resources and western drought. Unfortunately, no legislation related to California drought relief -- neither your legislation, S. 2533, nor the House passed H.R. 2898 -- is included on the list to be considered by the committee.

We urge you, as our California senator, to work with your Senate counterparts to ensure that legislation related to California drought is included in this markup. As you stated earlier this year, "It's vital that other Senators understand how harmful this historic drought has been for California." To allow a western drought bill to move in the Senate, without the inclusion of language related to California, would be irresponsible.

As you know, our constituents across the state continue to suffer from this historic drought, made worse by federal and state regulations and unsound environmental laws that artificially reduce water availability. Our communities, cities, farms, and businesses need action now.

The House has acted to pass legislation to help our constituents that allows for more water to be captured for human use, while also protecting the environment. Furthermore, the House continues to take advantage of every legislative avenue available to ensure a solution is advanced and ultimately signed into law by the end of the year. It is time for the Senate to take action as well.

As we return to California for the August district work period, it is of vital importance to our constituents that you work to secure passage of legislation in the Senate so that we may go to Conference to reconcile the differences. We stand ready and eager to work with you to secure passage of California water legislation in the Senate and to reach an agreement that will deliver desperately needed water to our communities.