House passes California drought bill.
The House passed a bill on Wednesday that California Republicans say will help the state fight future droughts.
Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) said the bill “addresses the policy, regulatory and administrative failures that have mismanaged our water supplies across the West.” The House passed the bill on a 230-190 vote.
Democrats accused the GOP of overriding California law and its power over water supplies, while significantly harming commercial fishing in the state by reapportioning water.
“Make no mistake.
If enacted, this bill will hurt a lot of people,” said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) “It takes water away from fishermen, from tribes, the environment, Delta farmers and others in order to redistribute it, primarily to a small group of some of the nation’s biggest and most politically connected agribusiness interests.” Huffman said the bill preempts California state law in numerous ways, like blocking state protections for fisheries and its ability to manage water for the public good.
He cited a letter Gov.
Jerry Brown (D) wrote to the congressional delegation opposing it.
Valadao’s bill is the second drought-related measure passed by the House this session.
Last month, lawmakers approved a measure to speed up permitting decisions for water storage projects such as dams and reservoirs in the state.