Angie Craig: “I join with my colleague and partner from Idaho with what I think is, for Idaho, an arid Western State, probably one of…”

“I join with my colleague and partner from Idaho with what I think is, for Idaho, an arid Western State, probably one of the more critical debates of new farm policy for our country. Those who live east of the Mississippi have no comprehension of the value of a raindrop, the value of a bank of snow, or the value of a large body of water retained behind an impoundment, known as a reservoir. My forbears and Senator Crapo's forbears for generations have recognized the value of storing water under State law and allocating this very scarce commodity to make the deserts of the West bloom and to become productive. There is no question in anyone's mind, I hope, that the ability to allocate water is the sole responsibility of the States. That is a fundamental right that has been well established in law. While oftentimes disputed by those who disagree, it is rarely ruled against in court. Why are we gathered here tonight? Because an amendment would propose in some nature, yet to be argued, that that fundamental principle of western water law is somehow overridden by a Federal law.”