Knight Applauds Passage of Drought Relief Measure

Press Release

A bipartisan measure backed by Representative Steve Knight (CA-25) to bring drought relief to California passed the House of Representatives Thursday. With the bill's passage, Congress is poised to deliver much-needed relief to the Golden State's ongoing water crisis.

The relief effort, led by Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-24), is a the result of a long effort by Representatives from California to alleviate the Golden State's drought crisis and take advantage of extra water from winter storms. The final package was negotiated with Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA), whose support is crucial to ensuring the bill passes the Senate and goes to the President for signature.

"With the drought now in entering its seventh year, and with winter storms fast-approaching, now is the time for Congress to act to ensure that Californians get the relief they need" said Representative Knight. "I applaud Leader McCarthy's leadership on this important issue and Senator Feinstein's support of this compromise. I am hopeful that we can continue our forward momentum and deliver a much-needed victory for the people and communities of our great state."

The water solutions compromise would take a multi-faceted approach to addressing California's water crisis, including initiatives favored by Republicans such as improving water infrastructure and granting the ability to increase Delta pumping, as well as Democrat priorities such as funding for water recycling and desalinization projects. The measure's language was added to S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, which would authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to construct various projects to improve rivers and harbors across the United States and provide funding for the Flint, Mich., water crisis. S. 612 passed the House 360 to 61 on Thursday and is expected to pass the Senate with bipartisan support.

"Congress must pass legislation that will deliver relief to our drought-stricken state, and I will keep fighting to make sure that happens," continued Rep. Knight. "I am pleased that we have a path forward to delivering solutions for our water crisis, and I look forward to working to see this measure signed into law."

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