Press Release

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today for a tour of the ongoing upgrades at Folsom Dam. Jewell announced that the Bureau of Reclamation is making $50 million in funds available immediately for drought relief projects throughout the West —including nearly $20 million for California.

This funding was included in the omnibus appropriations bill that Bera helped pass last December. He was one of only 57 Democrats to vote for the bill, in part because it included drought relief measures for California. It also included more than $100 million in funding for the Joint Federal Project at Folsom.

"We need to do everything we can to help those being impacted by California's historic drought, said Bera. "Ensuring that Folsom Lake can hold more water is crucial for Sacramento families because it will allow us to store water to help during drought periods and protect us from floods during rainy periods. The project has also brought hundreds of new jobs to our region and infused tens of millions of dollars into our local economy. It is a model for our region and the epitome of government working right with state, local, and federal agencies all collaborating to keep the project on schedule and under budget. That's why I've been proud to vote to continue improvements at the Folsom Dam and for other California drought relief measures."

Secretary Jewell discussed the Administration's ‘all-in' approach to the drought in California. These efforts include strategic investments in science and monitoring, operational flexibility to help manage limited water supplies and other efforts to ensure that public health and safety are not compromised.

"California's ongoing drought is wreaking havoc on farmers, ranchers, municipalities, tribes and the environment," said Secretary Jewell. "With climate change, droughts are projected to become more intense and frequent in many parts of the West, so we need to pursue every measure to provide relief and support to communities who are feeling the impacts.

"Today's funding will help boost immediate and long-term efforts to improve water efficiencies and increase resilience in high-risk communities, including in California's Central Valley," added Jewell. "I appreciate the support of Congress, especially that of Senator Feinstein and the California delegation, in helping make these much needed funds available."

Bera has represented Sacramento County in Congress since 2013. Born and raised in California, he is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He's fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our country's debt in a responsible way. One of Bera's first acts in Congress was to help lead the effort to pass the No Budget No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress don't pass a budget, they don't get paid. As a leader of the No Labels' Problem Solvers, he's working with people from both parties to find bipartisan solutions to our nation's challenges. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow @RepBera on Twitter, like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visit https://www.bera.house.gov.