Drought in the Western United States

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arkansas for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my frustration with the majority's unwillingness to get involved in drought recovery and prevention in the Western United States.

I am frustrated that my colleagues in the majority care so little about real people suffering from a lack of water. Some of my constituents have been forced to bathe with bottled water. Some of my constituents have been forced to abandon entire fields of crops because they simply don't have enough water for them. Some of my constituents can't drink the little water they have in their wells because the water contains arsenic and isn't safe to drink.

Madam Speaker, this isn't a looming crisis. We are in the middle of a crisis. I am here today with several of my colleagues in the minority, most of which that hail from the Western States, and I know they share the same frustration as me.

We have repeatedly called for hearings to be called on the Western drought, with no answer from the majority. We have tirelessly written letters to Biden administration officials and Western Governors requesting help, with no backing from the majority. We have introduced bills and put forward amendments to help prevent future droughts, with no consideration from the majority.

Madam Speaker, how many times do we have to tell our colleagues in the majority that my constituents and the constituents of many of my colleagues here today are hurting?

We are tirelessly trying to bring action in every way possible. We just ask that you work with us to get it done. This shouldn't be political. This is about real people and the desperate need for access to clean and reliable water.

Madam Speaker, this isn't the first time you have heard from me on this issue, and it certainly will not be the last.

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