Doris Matsui: “I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and to this bill. The…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and to this bill. The issue of water in California has been debated for many decades because it is such a critical issue for our States. As a daughter of a California Central Valley farmer, I grew up on a farm; and I deeply understand the value of and the controversy over water. Being able to plan the next growing season is critical for farmers. Unless they can count on the water being provided, there is no assurance for their crops. Now, in northern California, we have balanced our watershed. We have provided water for our farms, our cities, and our sensitive habitats in a way that we can have sustainability. But this legislation throws out the ability of the people of California to decide their own water future. Mr. Speaker, any real solution to California's water issues will need to be crafted with consensus within California, not in a partisan manner on the House floor the way H.R. 1837 has been written. This legislation purports to have the support of northern California, but I'm here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. My district, the Sacramento region as a whole, the five delta counties, are among countless others who oppose this bill, and the list continues to grow.…”