Political Quotes

“my amendment includes the language from my bill, H.R. 1948, allowing the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC, to accept up to $5 million per year from other Federal agencies or outside entities, such as cities, States, and nonprofit organizations, for wastewater treatment and flood-control projects like those that would fight the cross-border sewage crisis in San Diego. The IBWC has jurisdiction over the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Diego, where longstanding operational and maintenance failures have allowed raw sewage to flow from the Tijuana River into San Diego's beaches. This has created a public health crisis that strains local resources, poses significant environmental risks, and forces our servicemembers to train in polluted sewage water. Under current law, Federal agencies, State governments, and local entities cannot transfer funds to projects under IBWC's jurisdiction. This leaves IBWC reliant on annual appropriations or emergency funding to build and maintain its facilities. My office, along with the rest of the San Diego delegation, has secured $360 million in emergency funding to help address chronic issues at the South Bay treatment plant.”