Huffman, Napolitano, DeFazio, Western Democrats Introduce Western Drought Relief Bill

Press Release

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today led a bill to respond to California's record drought and provide assistance to farmers and ranchers, businesses, and communities suffering in California and other western states. Huffman's bill, supported by original cosponsors Grace Napolitano, Peter DeFazio, George Miller, John Garamendi, Mike Thompson, Jerry McNerney, Doris Matsui, Anna G. Eshoo, Sam Farr, Jackie Speier, Ami Bera, Juan Vargas, Alan Lowenthal, Scott Peters, and Matt Cartwright, provides emergency relief to affected agricultural producers and fishing communities, funds emergency drought relief projects, maintains critical environmental protections, and ensures that the United States will be better-prepared to respond to future droughts and natural disasters.

"Our bill builds on the constructive efforts by Senator Feinstein and others, including our state legislature and Governor Brown, by offering an aggressive drought response that is broad, effective, and honors existing laws and water rights," Huffman said.

"The severe drought conditions in the west will have devastating impacts on our economy and the environment, including water and power, wildlife and fisheries, forest health and wildland fire management," said House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio. "This is an incredibly difficult issue, with no easy solutions. I applaud Rep. Huffman for his good work to bring a coalition of federal, state, and local stakeholders together to work on a comprehensive, common sense bill to help mitigate the impacts of the drought in the west."

"California businesses and families across the state are hurting as a result of one of the driest calendar years on record," said Water & Power Subcommittee Ranking Member Grace Napolitano. "This legislation provides critical short-term relief for farmers and communities while helping them prepare for future drought cycles. We look forward to continuing to work together to create long-term solutions through recycling, conservation, desalination, and storage."

Unlike the cynical and flawed House Republican water bill that passed the House on a largely party-line vote in February, Huffman's bill meets two basic principles:

We're all in this together. All of California--and parts of several other western states--are impacted by the drought. Solutions must reflect that breadth and not focus only on one area of California. The new bill provides funding to assist impacted communities across California and across the West.

Do no harm. One region's problem should not be solved at the expense of other regions or other priorities. Redirected impacts are not a solution. The new drought relief bill respects existing law and water rights, and builds on ongoing state and federal efforts to respond to the drought.

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