{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397972", "Rep. Valadao, California Republicans Introduce Bipartisan Emergency Water Legislation", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "CA", "David Valadao", "V000129", "valadao.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21), with the support of California House Republicans, introduced water legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at providing short- term relief from California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water crisis.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21), with the support of California House Republicans, introduced water legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at providing short- term relief from California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water crisis.Since May, House Republicans have been working to find a bipartisan compromise between House and Senate legislation aimed at providing drought relief. For months, negotiations between the two Chambers have been ongoing. Unfortunately, last month, Senator Feinstein withdrew from negotiations.  In an effort to provide immediate, short-term relief regardless, Congressman Valadao introduced H.R. 5781, the California Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014. The bill provides eighteen month of relief (two water years) while protecting the State Water Project and protecting Northern California water rights.  Original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. David G. Valadao (CA-21), Kevin McCarthy (CA-23), Ken Calvert (CA-42), Jim Costa (CA-16), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Tom McClintock (CA-04), and Devin Nunes (CA-22).  Rep. Valadao stated, \u00e2\u0080\u009cThis well thought out, common sense legislation contains no controversial measures for either Party. Not only will this legislation provide a temporary eighteen month solution, it will also help ensure negotiations between the Senate and the House continue.\u00e2\u0080\u009d He went on, \u00e2\u0080\u009cI will not let this year end without exhausting ever possible option to bring relief to the Central Valley.\u00e2\u0080\u009d \n  \nRep. McCarthy said,\u00e2\u0080\u009cCalifornia is currently facing the worst drought in a century, which has led to barren farms and drastic water shortages in our communities. Families, businesses, and farmers are in desperate need for water and this bill represents the House\u00e2\u0080\u0099s unwavering commitment to provide immediate relief, especially during the first few storms of the water year. This bill contains provisions from the original Senate-passed water bill and from the House\u00e2\u0080\u0099s negotiations with the Senate. For the sake of the people of California, we can no longer delay action to alleviate the pain from harmful government policies that put the well-being of fish above people. While this represents an  important first step, the House will continue to work towards a long-term solution to California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s man-made water crisis.\u00e2\u0080\u009d \u00e2\u0080\u009cCities, towns, rural homes, schools and churches are running dry. House Leadership understands that action needs to be taken before Congress adjourns. We are offering a compromise based on the Senate water bill in a further demonstration that a bipartisan majority in the House is both willing and able to act,\u00e2\u0080\u009d said Rep. Devin Nunes.  Rep. Calvert said, \"California is facing a crisis that demands action. This short-term bill, comprised of negotiated text, will provide just a piece of the legislative fix that our state so desperately needs.  I appreciate the effort Senator Feinstein put forth in negotiating and look forward to working towards a permanent sensible solution.\" \n  \n\u00e2\u0080\u009cH.R. 5781 will provide immediate relief to California communities suffering from one of the worst droughts in recorded history.  This proposal is a good faith effort to exhaust every conceivable option available before Congress adjourns for the year,\u00e2\u0080\u009d\u00a0stated Rep. McClintock.  \u00e2\u0080\u009cThis limited bill includes noncontroversial language to address California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s drought immediately and it is imperative that we act this year. The provisions are a starting point to build toward a comprehensive solution to address California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water supply issues, and we remain ready to continue working with the Senate on a long term agreement,\u00e2\u0080\u009d said Rep. LaMalfa.  \u00e2\u0080\u009cThis bipartisan legislation offers a common-sense solution to a long-term problem. The Valley has suffered far too long because of our broken water system,\u00e2\u0080\u009d said Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16).  \u00e2\u0080\u009cThis bill will allow us to take advantage of increased flows through the delta and provide much-needed water to our Valley\u00e2\u0080\u0099s families and farms. California\u00e2\u0080\u0099s water needs must be addressed, and this legislation provides us with one more tool to bring relief to the San Joaquin Valley.\u00e2\u0080\u009d\n  \nThe full text of the bill can be found here.\u00a0\n    \n        \n            Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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": ["http://valadao.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397972"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7253058720380068, "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"}