Jared Huffman: “Responding briefly to a bit of hyperbole just now that somehow environmental laws have created a ``desert that produces…”

“Responding briefly to a bit of hyperbole just now that somehow environmental laws have created a ``desert that produces nothing in California,'' we do need to remember the facts. The truth is, even through this historic drought, farm employment rose statewide each year during the drought. The agricultural economy is thriving, and, thankfully, this year, even the most junior Federal contractors are enjoying a 100 percent allocation. They are fully realizing the vision of being the breadbasket of this country and the world. It is hardly a desert that produces nothing. With that, I do need to contrast what has been happening on the other end of the system, many of the communities I represent, where fishing communities really do have nothing. The California salmon season this year will be little or nothing. The Yurok Tribe that I represent that is dependent on fisheries, salmon fisheries in California since long before there was agriculture, will, for the second year in a row, close its Tribal fishery. We are seeing folks selling their boats. We are seeing fishing communities impacted in dramatic ways. There is real genuine hardship, much like what was just described by my friend. So the facts do matter. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Bakersfield, California (Mr. McCarthy), the majority leader. Mr. McCARTHY. Mr.…”