Expressing support for the diplomatic relations required to encourage the Government of Mexico to fulfill its water deliveries on an annual basis to the United States under the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding the utilization of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 683, introduced by my colleague, Representative Monica De La Cruz.

I had the opportunity to support this resolution as it made its way through the House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this month, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage here.

Mr. Speaker, climate change has led to more prevalent and severe climate events across North America and has affected us all. Lack of rain, for example, has caused severe drought, impacting farming communities and businesses that provide critical crops and jobs. Rising temperatures have affected the volume and distribution of rainfall and snowfall over time. Without water, farmers have had to make difficult choices about whether to plant their crops, resulting in major losses all around.

In these challenging times, I recognize the importance of engaging constructively with our neighbors to resolve issues that may seem local but have broad global implications and downstream effects. One instance where we must improve our international cooperation concerns the share of water between the United States and Mexico from the Colorado and the Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 683 recognizes that, as farmers in south Texas experience greater water shortages, we must work with the Government of Mexico to ensure its deliveries of water to the U.S. are made more consistent and timely and encourages new commitments to be made for that purpose.

I am particularly impressed by the International Boundary and Water Commission's engagement this year to advance the goals of the 1944 treaty relating to the utilization of the waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and the Rio Grande.

The Commission's work to ensure that commitments made to distribute water are upheld in a timely manner and in the right quantities have not gone unnoticed. No doubt these changes in regular access to water will have a positive impact on those who grow the food and livestock we depend on.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the dialogue and diplomacy necessary to confront this urgent issue.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes that, as farmers in south Texas are suffering from water shortages, dialogue and diplomacy will be critical to ensuring that water deliveries from the Government of Mexico, per the 1944 treaty, are made in a timely and consistent manner.

H. Res. 683 supports the negotiations being undertaken to secure water deliveries on an annual basis that would allow farmers to have predictable quantities of water for their crops and their livestock.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 683) expressing support for the diplomatic relations required to encourage the Government of Mexico to fulfill its water deliveries on an annual basis to the United States under the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding the utilization of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, stretching from the mountains of Colorado to the Gulf of Mexico, the Rio Grande River also forms over 1,200 miles of the international border between the United States and Mexico.

The Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, signed in 1944, secures consistent and dependable water supplies for both countries, which is critically important in our desert Southwest.

The treaty obligates Mexico to make available to the U.S. not less than 350,000 acre-feet of water per year from the main channel of the Rio Grande, averaged over a consecutive 5-year period. However, since 1994, Mexico has, on multiple occasions, failed to fulfill its Rio Grande water delivery commitments.

The latest data indicates that we have now moved into year 4 of the 5-year cycle, and Mexico is in arrears of over 680,000 acre-feet of water, nearly two full years' worth. Mexico's recurring failure has reached real-world repercussions, especially for American farmers and ranchers, who have suffered devastating crop and cattle losses.

U.S. diplomats and officials must urge Mexico to honor its commitments and establish regulations to regularize water deliveries.

With this resolution, the House of Representatives affirms its support for the United States to use its resources to secure compliance by the Mexican Government.

I thank my colleague from Texas, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, for introducing this bipartisan measure, which received unanimous support in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. De La Cruz), the author of this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H. Res. 683. This is a matter of utmost importance that impacts the lives and livelihoods of families in south Texas and across all of America.

The ongoing drought and resulting water scarcity in the Rio Grande Valley represents a crisis for our farmers and our communities. Under the 1944 water treaty, our neighbors in Mexico have pledged to supply the United States of America with an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually over a 5-year cycle.

Unfortunately, there have been consistent delays in meeting these obligations that have severely affected American agriculture.

The absence of adequate water threatens to drastically reduce their yields, potentially cutting their usual production in half. This situation poses a threat not only to local communities but also to our national food security, escalating the costs for American families, and increasing our reliance on imported produce.

This shortfall is also leading to stringent water restrictions in our community, further burdening families and businesses. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the Mexican Government to fulfill their treaty obligations. It is not fair for American families, American farmers, and ranchers to be penalized due to noncompliance by Mexico.

In response to this pressing issue, I introduced this bipartisan House resolution that expresses support for the diplomatic relations necessary to ensure Mexico adheres to the 1944 water treaty.

This resolution emphasizes the need for consistent water delivery to the United States and encourages renewed commitments to uphold the annual water deliveries.

Mr. Speaker, I express my sincere thanks to the bipartisan coalition of House Members, including my esteemed colleague, Henry Cuellar, for their support in bringing the resolution to the House floor. Additionally, I thank the chairman, my fellow Texan (Mr. McCaul), for his efforts with this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bipartisan House resolution. It is crucial that the 1944 water treaty be honored as it provides vital support for American farmers who are pivotal in sustaining our Nation's food supply.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my community and all of south Texas, we are thankful for the attention given to this urgent matter.