Crisis At Lake Mead

Floor Speech

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Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the water in Lake Mead has fallen to record-breaking lows not seen since the Hoover Dam was constructed.

Already, Lake Mead has fallen to just 35 percent of its capacity. And as you can see behind me, a bathtub ring taller than the Statue of Liberty surrounds the lake as a reminder of the water that was once there.

This is a crisis that we can fix only with new investment and innovative solutions, and that is why I am supporting the bipartisan infrastructure package and the climate and water investment provisions of the Build Back Better Act. It could not be more clear. Nevada is ground zero for the effects of climate change, but we also are ground zero for the benefits of this historic legislation.

The bipartisan infrastructure package includes more than $8 billion for water infrastructure. This also includes my water recycling legislation that will invest in large-scale water recycling projects to help keep more water in Lake Mead for Nevadans.

There is not a moment to lose.

The opportunity is here and the time to act on climate and act for Nevada's water and future is now.

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