{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-celebrate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-support-farmers-and-ranchers-facing-severe-drought-in-klamath-basin", "Wyden, Merkley Celebrate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Support Farmers and Ranchers Facing Severe Drought in Klamath Basin", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "Senate", "OR", "Ron Wyden", "W000779", "www.wyden.senate.gov", "wyden", "https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "On the Senate floor, Wyden calls for passage of his bipartisan bill with Senator Merkley\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senator Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., celebrated the Senate unanimously passing a bipartisan bill to support farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin with improved tools to respond to severe drought, while restoring fish and wildlife habitat in the region.\n\nThe Klamath Basin Water Agreement Support Act, introduced by Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., is companion legislation to Wyden\u2019s Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement Support Act. The bill provides federal agencies with the authorities necessary to cover the costs of infrastructure upgrades and operation that provide both water for agriculture and environmental benefits. The companion legislation passed the House earlier this week, and now heads to the president\u2019s desk for signature.\n\n\u201cI have heard from countless Oregonians in my town halls across Southern Oregon who are struggling to make ends meet as the Klamath Basin is crushed by severe drought,\u201d Wyden said. \u201cThis bill delivers on the promises we have made to the ranchers and farmers in dire need of these resources. This bill will ensure the Klamath Basin\u2019s economy can thrive for generations to come while protecting and restoring endangered fish habitats.\u201d\n\n\u201cKlamath Basin communities continue to face challenges from persistent drought, and our soon-to-be-law gives a much-needed boost to farmers and ranchers,\u201d Merkley said, who serves as the Chairman of the Interior Subcommittee that funds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. \u201cAs efforts continue to strengthen the region following the removal of the four lower Klamath River dams this year, this bill honors the pledge we made to the farmers and ranchers on the Klamath Project as part of the historic Klamath Basin Power and Facilities Agreement.\u201d\n\n\u201cSenators Wyden and Merkley have been laser focused on this legislation for years,\u201d said Paul Simmons, Executive Director of Klamath Water Users Association. \u201cWe are extremely grateful for their leadership and skill in getting this across the goal line for the benefit of the Klamath farmers and the wildlife of the Klamath Basin.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "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://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-merkley-celebrate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-support-farmers-and-ranchers-facing-severe-drought-in-klamath-basin"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 4.7131970059126616, "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"}