Addressing the Drought and Wildfires in California

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, the people and communities of California's San Joaquin Valley have been dealing with devastating drought conditions for years.

Water is life, as we say, agua es vida.

A reliable, sustainable water supply is absolutely essential to put America's food on our dinner table. It is a national security issue. Think about it. We can't live without food. Without water, we cannot grow food.

Farmers in my district are feeling the impact of the drought firsthand. Many have fallowed land, sadly. It is becoming more and more difficult to grow food and maintain farmland.

It is really simple. We say back home: Where water flows, food grows.

Small businesses are struggling to survive. Residents suffer from declining air quality, spurred by dust and wildfires that continue to spread across the West.

We must confront the devastating impacts of climate change. The Wildfire and Drought Resiliency Act will improve drought resiliency and protect the giant sequoia trees that are part of America's natural heritage.

Without a doubt, we cannot wait to confront this issue. We must act now.

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