Ed Royce: “Mr. Speaker, this is a well-crafted bill that helps the North American Development Bank to accomplish its stated goal of…”

“Mr. Speaker, this is a well-crafted bill that helps the North American Development Bank to accomplish its stated goal of improving the wastewater treatment, solid waste management and potable water supply in America's Mexico border region more efficiently. In California over the last 2 decades, the population has grown by more than 30 percent while the water supply has increased by only 2 percent. But as California's thirst for water increases, the number of available sources for drinking water is shrinking. This is why I support the North American Development Bank's mission of providing clean and safe water to all of America's southern border areas, particularly to the already overtaxed southern California area. I was able to contribute to this legislation by adding a provision that directs the North American Development Bank's support for qualified water conservation projects in southern California which will help to reduce the overall burden on a State whose water resources are already stretched dangerously thin. California currently leads the country in desalination, conjunctive use, recycling and water conservation efforts so the money invested in our part of the country gets an excellent return on investment.”