Agriculture

Legislation that includes language to withhold U.S. funding to Mexico until it meets its legally obligated water payments to the U.S. passed the House on Friday, underscoring the urgent need for action. The legislation passed a day after Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) led a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture urging faster relief payments to sugar growers who lost their… Read more »

UPDATE: The FY25 Foreign Operations appropriations bill passed out of the full committee today, June 12th and included Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz's language to withhold funds from Mexico until it meets its obligations under the 1944 water treaty. Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz thanks Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart for his leadership on this issue. She also thanks… Read more »

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) introduced the Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. This crucial piece of legislation addresses the significant economic losses suffered by Texas agricultural producers due to Mexico's failure to comply with water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz announced the designation of Jim Wells County and Brooks County as contiguous disaster areas. This designation follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) declaration of several Texas counties as primary natural disaster areas due to significant agricultural losses incurred in the 2023 Crop Year. The disaster designation was confirmed by… Read more »

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) has taken a formidable stance on the ongoing water treaty issues with Mexico, emphasizing the urgent need for Mexico to comply with its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. Together with Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19), she has formally requested a follow-up meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai following the ambassador’s… Read more »

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken today about Mexico’s continued failure to abide by its 1944 water treaty with the United States. The meeting follows the passage of H.Res. 683, which expresses support for the diplomatic relations required to encourage the Government of Mexico to fulfill its annual water deliveries to the United States under the… Read more »

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz was recently notified that Guadalupe, Karnes, Live Oak, and Wilson Counties in the 15th Congressional District of Texas have been declared primary federal natural disaster areas due to the recent drought. Jim Wells County was designated as a contiguous natural disaster area. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared the disaster on Tuesday, March 25th,… Read more »

On Wednesday, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing longstanding issues regarding Mexico's compliance with the 1944 Water Treaty. The proposed bill is designed to empower U.S. diplomats and officials in their endeavors to secure adherence to the treaty. Rep. Henry Cuellar is the co-lead of this legislation. The legislation… Read more »

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) issued the following statement in response to the announced closure of Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, Inc.: “I am outraged to hear about the closure of Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers, the Lone Star State’s last sugar operation,” De La Cruz said. “It’s devastating for the 500 full-time and seasonal workers who are out of work and equally… Read more »

The bipartisan Southern Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act (H.R. 6921) was introduced Tuesday, Jan. 9th, by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15). The bill authorizes payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to assist producers in implementing certain conservation practices along the southern border of Texas. Counties included in the legislation include… Read more »