Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 1837, the San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act. This legislation repeals existing State law and, frankly, leaves no State safe. If enacted, H.R. 1837 would set an unprecedented standard of State preemption. As a member of the Subcommitee on Water and Power, I am concerned that the opposition to this legislation, over 300 stakeholders, over seven States, the nonpartisan Western States Water Council, various attorney generals from New Mexico to other States, have voiced their concern about the preemption and the concern about the intrusion into what has traditionally been a State's right in terms of water management. If enacted, this unprecedented act of State preemption would be a precedent that brings many States' water settlements into question. In my State, Arizona, a diverse set of stakeholders, water users, Indian tribes, municipalities, the Federal Government were involved in lengthy years in reaching water agreements to try to balance the use of water in our State. They were crafted, they were difficult, they were delicate, but agreement happened, and now those are now being implemented throughout the State. It raises question about that difficult process, particularly when you had tribal governments involved in these negotiations and are part of the settlement. By sovereignty, States' rights are preeminent in this question. I urge Members to vote ``no.''”