Today, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's announcement that the Government of Mexico will make immediate deliveries on the water South Texans are owed under the 1944 Water Treaty.
"Today's announcement is a win for South Texas communities. Since coming to Congress, I have worked tirelessly to deliver the water Texans are owed under the 1944 Water Treaty. After two years of being told nothing could be done, we finally have a President and an Administration that has shown strength and delivered. Thank you President Trump, Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Secretary Marco Rubio for your leadership on this issue. This is a positive step in the right direction and I look forward to continuing to deliver wins for South Texas agriculture." - Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz
Background:
Since entering Congress, Rep. De La Cruz has been a tireless leader in securing the water Texans are owed and prioritized holding the Government of Mexico accountable for the over one million acre-feet of water they owe the U.S. under the 1944 Water Treaty.
Highlights of her work include:
May 4, 2023: Rep. De La Cruz led a bipartisan and bicameral letter to the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, requesting for the Department to immediately engage with the International Boundary and Water Commission (IWBC) to ensure Mexico provides for immediate releases of water.
October 24, 2023: Rep. De La Cruz sent a letter to the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Mexican Ambassador to the United States, imploring Mexico to honor its 1944 water treaty with the United States.
November 28, 2023: Rep. De La Cruz’s bipartisan resolution, H.Res. 683, expressing support for the diplomatic relations required to encourage the Government of Mexico to fulfill its water deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty.
December 1, 2023: Rep. De La Cruz sent a letter to Ambassador Moctezuma requesting that Mexico take immediate action on making water deliveries from their reserves to the United States.
January 31, 2024: Rep. De La Cruz sent a letter to Ambassador Moctezuma calling for the immediate release of water from Chihuahua.
February 23, 2024: Rep De La Cruz sent a letter to Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack urging them to engage Mexico on this issue in order to achieve compliance with the terms of the treaty to secure water.
February 28, 2024: Rep. De La Cruz introduced H.R. 7468 to ensure that United States diplomats and officials of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission are able to advance efforts seeking compliance by the United Mexican States with the 1944 Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.
May 8, 2024: Rep. De La Cruz sent a letter to Secretary Blinken requesting information and an update on discussions regarding the status of water deliveries from Mexico.
May 10, 2024: Rep De La Cruz introduced H.R. 8344, the Texas Agricultural Producers Assistance Act to address 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 Mexico. This critical legislation was included in the Farm Bill which passed out of the House Agriculture Committee with bipartisan support.
July 8th, 2024: Rep. De La Cruz sent a letter to Mexican President-Elect Claudia Sheinbaum requesting a meeting to address water deliveries owed to the United States.
August 6th, 2024: Rep. De La Cruz announced the formation of the South Texas Water Working Group, a collaborative effort aimed at addressing and resolving the water challenges faced by South Texas communities.
October 11th, 2024: Rep. De La Cruz introduced H.R. 9960, the Water Delivery Transparency Act to mandate the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to host public forums, create an online portal for stakeholder input, and issue public reports detailing how this input will influence future treaty updates.
December 19, 2024: Rep. De La Cruz led a letter to President Trump requesting that he hold Mexico accountable for its water deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty. Every Republican member of the Texas Congressional Delegation co-signed this letter.
December 20, 2024: Rep. De La Cruz secured language in the end-of-year Continuing Resolution granting the Secretary of Agriculture authority to provide block grants for economic relief to agricultural producers in South Texas.
January 28, 2025: Rep. De La Cruz introduced H.Res. 71 to condemn the Government of Mexico for failing 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.
February 5, 2025: Rep. De La Cruz sent a letter to Secretary Rubio requesting that he hold Mexico accountable for the water they owe the United States as part of their trade negotiations.
February 27, 2025: Rep. De La Cruz met with President Trump to advocate for holding Mexico accountable for owed water deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty.
March 19, 2025: De La Cruz announced alongside U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) that $280 million of aid funds will be deployed by the USDA to South Texas farmers.
