Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7872, the Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act. The Colorado River is a critical resource for the basin's seven States. Since the 1970s, the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program has operated salinity control projects to reduce salinity levels in the river, which helps to improve crop yields for farmers. This effort is crucial since agriculture is the most significant component of the basin's economy. Historically, this program has been funded through both appropriations and power revenues. However, the Colorado River has experienced historic ongoing multidecade drought conditions that have reduced hydropower generation and created an imbalance between the program's obligations and the costs payable through hydropower. The Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act would address this challenge by reducing the cost-share percentages from hydropower revenues and increasing the Federal nonreimbursable costs for the salinity programs across the Colorado River Basin. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.”