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A resolution calling on Mexico to honor its 1944 treaty with the United States and fulfill its water commitments annually passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, November 7th.

The current water scarcity and drought conditions in South Texas are causing severe problems for farmers and residents in the Rio Grande Valley. The lack of consistent rainfall and water deliveries has led to devastating crop and cattle losses, and farmers struggle to get the water they need to grow their crops.

The United States and Mexico have a treaty that requires Mexico to provide the United States with an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year over a five-year cycle. However, Mexico has repeatedly waited until the end of the five-year cycle to fulfill its water contribution.

This year, South Texas farmers need water now to have a successful season. If they do not get the water they need, they might only be able to grow about half of a year's typical crop yield. This could lead to national consequences, such as less American-grown produce on grocery store shelves, increased food costs, and an increased reliance on foreign agriculture.

The lack of water also adversely impacts communities in South Texas, some of which now have to put new water restrictions in place.

“I am pleased the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed this bipartisan resolution today and look forward to its vote on the House floor,” De La Cruz said. “For too long, Mexico has failed to abide by its commitment. That must end as water security is a paramount issue facing Texas. I will not stop fighting to make Mexico abide by its agreement and deliver the water it owes on an annual basis.”

This resolution does the following:

• Supports the diplomatic relations required to encourage the Government of Mexico to fulfill its water deliveries annually to the United States under the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding the utilization of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and the Rio Grande, signed in February 1944.

• Encourages Mexico to fulfill such commitments on an annual basis;

• Acknowledges that farmers in South Texas are experiencing water shortages;

• Supports negotiations on a Minute that will ensure more predictable and reliable water deliveries to users in the United States; and

• Encourages new commitments to ensure that the United States receives annual deliveries of at least 350,000 acre-feet of water under such a treaty.