Bill to Send More Water to California Farms Passes in House

Taylor Hillman Drought, General, Water

David Valadao

Congressman David Valadao

The House has passed legislation meant to bring more water to California’s major farmland. Sabrina Hill reports.


Water Bill Passes House

The legislation was authored by California Representative David Valadao (R-21) and is led by the GOP. Similar legislation has already failed twice, and Democrats and the White House remain opposed to this bill. The bill passed in the House Thursday with a vote of 245-176, with only five Democrats voting in favor.

The bill would divert more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to farmland, rather than letting it flow to the ocean. Democratic opponents contend that diverting more water for farmland could harm the environment and the quality of drinking water for communities.

The White House has stated strong opposition to the bill.