Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Announcement that Mexico Will Meet its Water Delivery Obligation Under the 1944 Water Treaty
HOUSTON, Texas - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued the following statement regarding last week's announcement that Mexico will meet its water sharing obligation under the terms of the 1944 Treaty for the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande ("1944 Water Treaty") and transfer the remaining water owed to the United States prior to the end of the current five-year cycle:
"This announcement is important news for the United States, the state of Texas, and the communities along the Rio Grande that depend on the water deliveries under the terms 1944 Water Treaty. In years past Mexico has failed to properly comply with the terms of the treaty which has caused severe economic hardship for not only the farmers and ranchers in the area but also the communities that rely on agricultural water deliveries to supply drinking water to citizens. I am optimistic that Mexico's commitment to fulfilling its treaty obligations will continue in the future. I applaud the work of Secretary Pompeo, Governor Abbott, and TCEQ, as well as the work of the bipartisan Congressional delegation on this matter."
BACKGROUND:
- In March of 2013, Sen. Cruz sent a letter with Sen. Cornyn (R-Texas) urging the State Department to force Mexico to honor these obligations.
- In June 2013, Sens. Cruz. Cornyn and Reps. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) and Mike Conaway (D-Texas) introduced the Working to Address Treaty Enforcement Rapidly (WATER) for Texas Act (S.1125).
- In May 2017, Sens. Cruz and Cornyn sent a letter along with members of the Texas delegation urging the new administration and the State Department to address Mexico's lack of compliance with the "1944 Water Treaty."
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