Rep. Neguse, Colorado River Caucus Co-Chair, Passes Bipartisan Drought Preparedness Act Through the House
Congressman Neguse, whose district includes the headwaters of the Colorado River, took to the House Floor to speak in support of his bill on Monday evening. Watch the full clip HERE.
Washington, D.C. — Congressmen Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Colorado River Caucus, celebrated the passage of their bipartisan bill to address water scarcity and improve drought preparedness for communities across the West. The Drought Preparedness Act advances long-term solutions for the Colorado River Basin, reauthorizing Drought Response Program authorities for the Bureau of Reclamation through 2028. These authorities, which lapsed in September 2023, work to minimize drought damages and losses, and improve water availability for those harmed by drought.
Since 2000, the Colorado River Basin has been experiencing historic drought conditions that have impacted regional water supplies and other resources, such as hydropower, recreation, and ecologic services. Following worsening drought conditions in 2021 and 2022, studies reported that this megadrought is the driest 22-yr period observed since at least 800 A.D.
“More than 40 million people rely on the Colorado River for water, food, recreation, and energy—and ongoing periods of exceptional drought are shrinking this critical lifeline. I am proud to see the House act swiftly to pass my bill to continue to provide Colorado with every tool possible to mitigate the impacts of the crisis facing the Colorado River,” said Congressman Neguse. “We will continue to fight to ensure that key drought relief initiatives have the support needed to provide relief to Coloradans and folks across the Rocky Mountain West. It is time to get this bill through the Senate and to the President’s desk.”
“As Arizona continues to see a historic drought, it’s more important than ever to support water management programs and projects that help us minimize water losses. I am thrilled to see this crucial legislation pass the House and take a major stride closer to becoming law. This bipartisan effort ensures Arizona’s communities have continued access to programs that help us be the best stewards possible to our water resources and protect our water future,” said Rep. Ciscomani.
Representatives Neguse and Ciscomani introduced the Drought Preparedness Act as part of a bipartisan legislative package to improve water resilience in the West. The bill passed the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously at the end of 2023.
Background
Congressman Joe Neguse, whose district includes the headwaters of the Colorado River, has been working to address water-related issues, enacting significant bills that invest in drought resilience and water management. Last Congress, he was able to secure passage of his monumental legislative package, the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, through the House of Representatives. Additionally, as co-founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Colorado River Caucus, Rep. Neguse formed a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers each representing a state along the Colorado River Basin. The lawmakers are working to build consensus on critical issues plaguing the river and support the work of the Colorado River Basin states on how best to address the worsening levels of drought in the Colorado River Basin.
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