Alex Padilla

The cost of water is rising. Household water and wastewater bills have increased 160 percent since 1998.

Let me begin, Mr. Chair, by just reminding you how proud I am of the work this Committee has done to address water affordability for underserved communities.

In 2021, Congress created the temporary Low Income Household Water Assistance Program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I think most people appreciate that the diversity of our country is a strength for us.

Thank you, Chairman Durbin, and Ranking Member Graham.

I think most people appreciate that the diversity of our country is a strength for us.

Thank you, Chairman Durbin, and Ranking Member Graham.

The cost of water is rising. Household water and wastewater bills have increased 160 percent since 1998.

I know Senator Cardin talked to you, Ms. Powell, earlier about your experience in taking advantage of the resources available and what it meant for customers that were able to receive aid.

Thank you, Chairman Durbin, and Ranking Member Graham.

It is also my honor to introduce President Biden's latest nominee to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Judge Lee.

I think most people appreciate that the diversity of our country is a strength for us.

It just speaks volumes of her willingness to serve and their support of her in service to not just the judiciary, but to our country.

Judge Lee is joined today by her family.

Being smart and strategic with those funds and investments do pay a huge dividend, not if, but when if major disasters happen

It's the old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The specific challenges in what is referred to in Southern California as below sand corridor

Water supply, reliability and affordability is so keen

Being smart and strategic with those funds and investments do pay a huge dividend, not if, but when if major disasters happen

It's the old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In many ways I do refer to California as Exhibit A on the climate crisis for the reasons Chairman Whitehouse just mentioned, and so many more.

California is the bell weather for the climate crisis, whether it's feeling and responding to the immediate impacts of extreme heat on our most vulnerable, flooding, and what it means for drinking water and agricultural production.

Being smart and strategic with those funds and investments do pay a huge dividend, not if, but when if major disasters happen

It's the old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It's not just communities and homes and businesses, but important rail line, second busiest rail region, second only to the northeast corridor