San Antonio Corridor News

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, calling on Mexico to honor its water treaty obligations. The bipartisan measure, co-led by Congressman Henry Cuellar, addresses the critical water scarcity issues in South Texas and emphasizes the need for Mexico to fulfill its commitments under the 1944 treaty with the United States.

The current water scarcity and drought conditions in South Texas have had severe consequences for farmers and residents across the Rio Grande Valley. The lack of consistent rainfall and water deliveries has resulted in devastating crop and cattle losses, leaving farmers in desperate need of water.

The 1944 treaty requires Mexico to provide the United States with an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year over a five-year cycle. However, Mexico has consistently delayed its water contributions until the end of the five-year cycle. This has created significant challenges for American farmers and ranchers who rely on these water deliveries.

Congresswoman De La Cruz expressed her gratitude to her colleagues for their support in passing the resolution. She also thanked Chairman McCaul for his leadership and assistance in addressing this critical issue. De La Cruz highlighted the impact of the ongoing water delivery issues on farmers, risking significant yield reductions and posing a threat to national food security. She emphasized that the lack of water also leads to higher costs for American families and increased reliance on imported produce.

"It is vital that the Mexican government adheres to its treaty obligations. Our families, farmers, and ranchers shouldn't bear the consequences of Mexico's non-compliance," said Congresswoman De La Cruz.

The resolution aims to support diplomatic relations between the United States and Mexico, urging the Mexican government to fulfill its water deliveries in a timely manner. It also recognizes the hardships and water shortages faced by farmers in South Texas. The resolution further supports negotiations that will guarantee more predictable and reliable water deliveries to users in the United States.

The passage of this resolution underscores Congresswoman De La Cruz's leadership as an effective advocate for Texans in the nation's capital. This is the second piece of legislation from Congresswoman De La Cruz that has successfully passed the U.S. House with robust bipartisan support.

The resolution sends a clear message to Mexico that the United States expects the fulfillment of the treaty obligations. It encourages Mexico to make annual commitments to ensure timely water deliveries and calls for new commitments to guarantee that the United States receives at least 350,000 acre-feet of water annually under the treaty.

With the House of Representatives taking this important step, it is now up to Mexico to honor its obligations and provide the necessary water deliveries. The resolution serves as a reminder of the critical importance of water resources and the need for both countries to work together to address water scarcity issues and ensure the well-being of farmers, ranchers, and communities in South Texas.

Click this link to access more information: https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=487