House Passes Proactive Solution to Assist Western States with Crippling Drought Conditions

Press Release

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after the House passed by a bipartisan vote of 245-176, H.R. 2898, the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015, which would increase vital water storage, modernize the permitting process for water projects, assist with lowering food costs and protect state water rights from federal water grabs:

"American families, small businesses and farmers are hurting in the West and desperately need relief from crippling drought conditions. Unfortunately, the Obama Administration has exacerbated that pain throughout Western states by putting the demands of extremist special interest groups ahead of hard-working American families. This has had a dramatic impact: killing thousands of jobs, harming our food supply and leading to unemployment levels as high as 40% in some communities.

"The bipartisan action taken in the House today will help ensure a reliable water supply for our citizens and nation's agriculture producers. H.R. 2898 is a balanced approach for combating drought conditions in the West that protects private water rights and prohibits federal water grabs. Furthermore, this commonsense legislation streamlines the federal permitting process, increases water storage capacity and will assist with lowering food costs. As Vice-Chairman of the Natural Resources Water, Power and Oceans Subcommittee, I am proud the House took action today to prevent future water crises and prioritize the interests of the American people over the special interests of extremist environmental groups."

Congressman Gosar, a cosponsor of H.R. 2898, delivered a speech on the House floor this morning in support of the Western Water and American Food Security Act of 2015.

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