Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) spoke on the need of progress over partisanship when he addressed the issue of an emergency drought relief bill for his state on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Speaking on the need for a bipartisan bill that would temporarily remove environmental restrictions on moving much-needed water through the San Joaquin Valley and into other parts of California, McCarthy made it clear that it would have a huge impact on not only his state, but the world.
“Do you realize four years ago we had 170 percent of snow pack, but only 80 percent of the water was allocated to come down through the valley?,” McCarthy asked his fellow lawmakers. “The valley not just feeds California, not just feeds the nation, but feeds the world.”
McCarthy explained that the lack of water in California increases food prices across the globe and has a direct effect on the state’s unemployment rate.
“When the valley does not get water, the prices of food goes up for all,” McCarthy said. “There are some cities that have more than 30 percent unemployment. The No. 1 factor (is) water. We are now at the worst drought in 1,200 years.”
McCarthy described the need for a bill that would allow the movement of floodwaters through the San Joaquin Valley and into drier areas of the state. Currently, such movement is blocked by environmental laws that protect some species of fish from potential harm from the floodwaters.
“(The proposed bill) says in the rainy season, when the floodwaters are high, we can move water down through the valley,” McCarthy explained. “It also gives the safeguard that, if the fish are harmed, to stop. Now, I know government cannot make it rain, but government can stop the government policies that pick fish over people.”
McCarthy concluded by saying that government can make a difference in the crisis facing his state if both sides work together for the overall good.