Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa) and his amendment.

Ground water provides drinking water for more than one half of the Nation's population and is the only source of drinking water for many rural communities, like those in my Central Valley congressional district. Many do not have access to a clean, safe supply of water and are unable to access the funding or resources necessary to develop sustainable water supplies and improve their water infrastructure.

In the Central Valley, nitrate contamination is all too common. While contamination can occur for many reasons, oftentimes no one is directly responsible. Clean-up costs are then borne by the affected community.

Through my position on the House Appropriations Committee, I worked to ensure language was included in the House agricultural appropriations bill to require the Department of Agriculture to provide a report to the Appropriations Committee regarding their programs and outreach efforts to disadvantaged communities who are impacted by water supply issues.

Every family in America should have clean drinking water. Anything less is unacceptable.

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