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Other Congressmen respond to yesterday’s Water and Power Subcommittee hearings

Posted by: Maven on February 5, 2010 at 8:20 am

Lest you think Nunes was the only one there at the hearing yesterday, here’s more from other California legislators.

McClintockFrom Congressman Tom McClintock, the text of his opening statement to the House Water and Power Sub-Committee:

“Last week, Republicans held a listening forum in Fresno to hear directly from the people of California’s Central Valley who have been devastated by the federal government’s willful decision to turn off their water to indulge the environmental left’s pet causes.

I’m sorry this sub-committee chose not to attend. If my colleagues had attended, they would have heard the rain outside, while inside they would have heard that up to 10,000 extra acre feet of water is being sent out to the ocean PER DAY because of federal environmental regulations. As Tom Birmingham from the Westlands Water District just said in the Contra Costa Times, “Under the federal rules, the more it rains, the more water we lose.” This is insanity. … “

Read more from Congressman McClintock by clicking here.

mccarthyFrom Congressman Kevin McCarthy:

“Today, Congressman McCarthy submitted the following statement to the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power for a legislative hearing on California’s water crisis, urging the Committee to immediately take up the Turn on the Pumps Act to get water flowing again. In the statement below, Congressman McCarthy highlights that “Jobs Grow Where Water Flows.”

“Madam Chairwoman, Ranking Member McClintock, I appreciate the opportunity to comment about the significant impacts from California’s water crisis on my constituents in Bakersfield and our region, although I am extremely disappointed that neither this, nor any other hearing to date, is addressing additional legislation that would provide immediate relief for our farmers and communities – H.R. 3105, the Turn on the Pumps Act. … “

Read more from Congressman McCarthy by clicking here.

cardozaFrom Congressman Cardoza:

“Congressman Cardoza testified in support of legislation today that would provide immediate aid to drought-stricken farmers in the San Joaquin Valley.

“This bill is a step toward introducing flexibility back into the system and returning sanity to a debate that has veered dangerously off course and become dangerously partisan,” said Cardoza, speaking before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power.

The legislation, HR 4224, was introduced by Congressman Jim Costa with Congressman Cardoza’s support. Under the bill, matching fund requirements could be reduced or waived for local governments and entities seeking federal assistance in drought relief projects. The legislation would be especially useful for projects that have been through the planning process but lack enough matching funds to begin work. … “

costaFrom Congressman Costa:

“The Subcommittee on Water and Power held a legislative hearing on H.R. 4225, a bill authored by Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) which would provide immediate funding for water projects in California to help bring water to the Valley. Today’s hearing sets the stage for the bill to move through committee and onto the House floor for a vote.

“Fighting for water for our Valley and for our economy are the most important issues for me,” Costa said. “This legislation will allow important water projects to come online faster and will create construction jobs for our Valley. It’s a double win.”

“Our Valley’s farms cannot exist on a 10% allocation this year. It’s unacceptable. If we are at 117% of snowpack in the Sierra, and to give our farmers a 10% allocation is nonsensical and unexplainable. Our farmers and farm workers need to be put back to work to grow the best food and fiber in America,” Costa said. … “

Read more from Congressman Costa by clicking here.

February 5, 2010 · Filed Under Uncategorized

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