Expressing Support for the Diplomatic Relations Required to Encourage the Government of Mexico to Fulfill its Water Deliveries on An Annual Basis to the United States Under the Treaty Between the United States and Mexico

Floor Speech

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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 683) expressing support for the diplomatic relations required to encourage the Government of Mexico to fulfill its water deliveries on an annual basis to the United States under the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding the utilization of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

The Clerk read the title of the resolution.

The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 683

Whereas the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding the utilization of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, signed at Washington, February 1944 (59 Stat. 1219), commits the Government of Mexico to send an average of not less than 350,000 acre-feet of water annually over a 5-year cycle to the United States;

Whereas Mexico repeatedly waits until the end of this 5- year cycle to fulfill such water commitment; and

Whereas each year, farmers in south Texas are experiencing water shortages: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) supports the diplomatic relations required to encourage the Government of Mexico to fulfill its water deliveries on an annual basis to the United States under the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding the utilization of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, signed at Washington, February 1944 (59 Stat. 1219);

(2) encourages Mexico to fulfill such commitments on an annual basis;

(3) acknowledges that farmers in south Texas are experiencing water shortages;

(4) supports negotiations on a Minute that will ensure more predictable and reliable water deliveries to users in the United States; and

(5) encourages new commitments to ensure that the United States receives annual deliveries of at least 350,000 acre- feet of water under such treaty.
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Mr. LAWLER.

Mr. Speaker, stretching from the mountains of Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande River also forms over 1,200 miles of the international border between the United States and Mexico.

The Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, signed in 1944, secures consistent and dependable water supplies for both countries, which is critically important in our desert Southwest.

The treaty obligates Mexico to make available to the U.S. not less than 350,000 acre-feet of water per year from the main channel of the Rio Grande, averaged over a consecutive 5-year period. However, since 1994, Mexico has, on multiple occasions, failed to fulfill its Rio Grande water delivery commitments.

The latest data indicates that we have now moved into year 4 of the 5-year cycle, and Mexico is in arrears of over 680,000 acre-feet of water, nearly two full years' worth. Mexico's recurring failure has reached real-world repercussions, especially for American farmers and ranchers, who have suffered devastating crop and cattle losses.

U.S. diplomats and officials must urge Mexico to honor its commitments and establish regulations to regularize water deliveries.

With this resolution, the House of Representatives affirms its support for the United States to use its resources to secure compliance by the Mexican Government.

I thank my colleague from Texas, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, for introducing this bipartisan measure, which received unanimous support in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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Mr. LAWLER. De La Cruz), the author of this resolution.

Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 683. This is a matter of utmost importance that impacts the lives and livelihoods of families in south Texas and across all of America.

The ongoing drought and resulting water scarcity in the Rio Grande Valley represents a crisis for our farmers and our communities. Under the 1944 water treaty, our neighbors in Mexico have pledged to supply the United States of America with an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually over a 5-year cycle.

Unfortunately, there have been consistent delays in meeting these obligations that have severely affected American agriculture.

The absence of adequate water threatens to drastically reduce their yields, potentially cutting their usual production in half. This situation poses a threat not only to local communities but also to our national food security, escalating the costs for American families, and increasing our reliance on imported produce.

This shortfall is also leading to stringent water restrictions in our community, further burdening families and businesses. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the Mexican Government to fulfill their treaty obligations. It is not fair for American families, American farmers, and ranchers to be penalized due to noncompliance by Mexico.

In response to this pressing issue, I introduced this bipartisan House resolution that expresses support for the diplomatic relations necessary to ensure Mexico adheres to the 1944 water treaty.

This resolution emphasizes the need for consistent water delivery to the United States and encourages renewed commitments to uphold the annual water deliveries.

Mr. Speaker, I express my sincere thanks to the bipartisan coalition of House Members, including my esteemed colleague, Henry Cuellar, for their support in bringing the resolution to the House floor. Additionally, I thank the chairman, my fellow Texan (Mr. McCaul), for his efforts with this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan House resolution. It is crucial that the 1944 water treaty be honored as it provides vital support for American farmers who are pivotal in sustaining our Nation's food supply.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my community and all of south Texas, we are thankful for the attention given to this urgent matter.

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Mr. LAWLER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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