De La Cruz Holds Mexican Government Accountable for Failing to Comply with 1944 Water Treaty Deliveries

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) introduced the Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act to impose restrictions on the Mexican government if they fail to meet obligated water deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduce companion legislation in the Senate.

"For too long, the Mexican government has refused to comply with the obligation to make water deliveries under the 1944 Water Treaty. Water shortages have devastated South Texas farms, even forcing the closure of the last sugar mill in Texas. It's time to give teeth to the Treaty and ensure the Mexican government is held accountable. The Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act will impose necessary restrictions to enforce compliance and secure the water Texas is owed." - Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz

Background:
The Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act requires the Secretary of State to annually report to Congress whether the Mexican government has delivered 350,000 acre-feet of water in the previous calendar year, can deliver 1,750,000 acre-feet of water by the end of the current five-year cycle, and the economic areas or activities in Mexico that rely on water received from the U.S. or the six Rio Grande tributaries.

If the Secretary's report finds that the Mexican government has not met the obligations, the President of the United States is authorized to deny all non-Treaty requests and limit engagement with Mexico related to the economic areas or activities identified in the report, excluding efforts to counter the spread of illicit drugs. Emergency water deliveries are permitted to proceed under this legislation.

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