Ending Gun Violence

"In addition to a blatant water grab, HR 1837 also creates sweeping exemptions from federal laws protecting our water and pre-emptively prohibits state lawmakers from striking a consensus-driven compromise. It would be more accurate to call HR 1837 the State Water Rights Repeal Act," Garamendi wrote in the op-ed. "Now is not the time to reignite the California water wars of the past. Now is not the time to pit Californians against each other for short-term gain. There is a more constructive way forward for California. We must focus on responsible, science-based water management, with conservation, storage and recycling playing a prominent role – balancing our water needs and creating jobs across the Golden State."

"HR 1837 turns upside down 150 years of California water law and the allocation of water. The bill removes all environmental protections for the Delta and Central Valley rivers while allowing destructive exports of water from the Delta to San Joaquin Valley water districts. However, one section of the bill, Title 4, has merit in that it affirms existing water rights and area of origin rights in Northern California. Unfortunately, this section was combined with too much bad policy for the bill to receive my support."

"Many farmers in my Delta community have personally asked me to help fix this problem," said Congressman John Garamendi. "I am proud to take their voice to Washington, so American farmers have the freedom to grow their businesses and grow the products this country needs."

"I’m a battle-tested veteran of the California water wars, and I’d frankly prefer to talk about past battles than wade into this hornet’s nest again, but I’ll be damned if I let anybody destroy the Delta," Garamendi said. "This legislation threatens the Delta, jeopardizes drinking water for California cities, and puts the interests of a select well-connected few above the entire state."

"This Republican hearing seeks to reignite the water wars of the past and pit Californians against each other for short-term gain," said Congressman John Garamendi (CA-10). "There is a more constructive way forward for our community. We must focus on responsible science-based water management, with conservation, storage, and recycling playing a prominent role – balancing our water needs and creating jobs across the Golden State."

"Ultimately, these reckless proposals would harm California. Jeopardizing the restoration of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, stopping implementation of the San Joaquin River settlement, disrupting the Klamath River agreements and attempting to delay the Bureau of Reclamation’s water efficiency efforts is not in the interest of California and its people," Congressman Garamendi said in his statement.