{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-stansbury-introduce-bill-reauthorize-binational-water-research", "Ciscomani, Stansbury Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Binational Water Research Program", "2023-10-05", "2023", "2023-10", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Juan Ciscomani", "C001133", "ciscomani.house.gov", "ciscomani", "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01) introduced legislation on Tuesday to reauthorize the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP), a federal program that supports binational research on groundwater security, quantity, and quality in border communities. Full bill text is available here.\n\n\u201cBy collaborating with our regional neighbors across state lines and international borders, we are able to expand our understanding of our water resources while strengthening our binational partnership with Mexico.\u201d said Rep. Ciscomani. \u201cThis legislation will allow the crucial research between our countries to continue, ultimately benefitting water security in both the United States and Mexico.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn New Mexico, we know that water is life,\u201d said Rep. Stansbury. \u201cWe also know that water security is not assured. The reauthorization of this program will allow us to continue in taking critical steps to support groundwater research in the Southwest, and ensure the long-term water security of our communities.\u201d\n\nThe Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Reauthorization Act (TAAP Act) continues TAAP, which was originally authorized in 2006 by U.S. Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and U.S. Representative Jim Kolbe (R-AZ-05). This program facilitates studies between the U.S. Geological Service (USGS), the University of Arizona, the University of New Mexico, and Texas A&M and universities and agencies in Mexico.\n\n\u201cWater is the lifeblood of communities along the Southwest border,\u201d said Bruce Wright, a member of Ciscomani\u2019s Advisory Council and former member of the Arizona-Mexico Commission. \u201cWater is an essential element of a strong border economy, healthy environment and ecosystem, and high-quality lifestyle. During times of persistent drought and evolving climate change, it is critical that we protect our transborder aquifers and ensure that we have a reliable and safe source of water for the communities along the US-Mexico border. This is important legislation that will fund research by three universities recognized for their expertise in the management of water resources \u2013 the University of Arizona, New Mexico State University, and Texas A&M University.\u201d\n\n\u201cGroundwater from aquifers is extremely important to communities along Arizona\u2019s shared border with Sonora, Mexico,\u201d said Dr. Sharon B. Medgal, Director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC). \u201cBecause groundwater cannot be seen, studies or assessments are needed so that water users have information about groundwater quantity and quality. Continued work on assessing transboundary aquifers through the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program will provide critically important information about the reliability of the groundwater supplies on which border communities depend.\u201d\n\n\u201cNMSU applauds the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP) legislation being introduced by Congresswoman Stansbury of New Mexico and by Congressman Ciscomani of Arizona,\u201d said Dr. Sam Fernald, Director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute. \u201cThis legislation will be critical for New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute's (WRRI) cutting-edge research on transboundary groundwater and binational collaboration for better groundwater management. NM WRRI is a leader in Transboundary Groundwater Resilience, and this TAAP legislation supports NM WRRI\u2019s efforts to continue to lead the way in sustainable border groundwater. This legislation is vital for NMSU to support programs that improve the long term health of the binational Mesilla-Conejos Medanos aquifer that underpins the local border economy, community, and ecosystem. This work will help NMSU with its distinct research endeavors that serve diverse border communities that rely on groundwater and the emerging border industry that also relies on transboundary groundwater.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-stansbury-introduce-bill-reauthorize-binational-water-research"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5297520440071821, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}