Press Release

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. voted today against the so-called Western Water and American Food Security Act, a partisan bill which would take water away from the Sacramento region and send it to other parts of the state. He also offered an amendment to this dangerous bill to guarantee Sacramento families continue to have access to safe drinking water and to ensure that there is enough water to fight wildfires.

"California is in the fourth year of a serious drought ," said Bera. "It's hurting families, farmers, and small businesses across the state. In a crisis, everyone has to come together to find solutions that work for all of us. That's why it's inexcusable that instead of working collaboratively to pass a comprehensive solution to help us secure water access throughout the state, today Congress pushed a bill that does nothing to actually address the water shortage but instead just pits one area of the state against others. Our region simply cannot send water that doesn't exist elsewhere. "

Watch him speak out against this legislation on the House floor.

Bera recently joined Congressman Jared Huffman and several other members from California and western states in introducing legislation to help deal with California's historic drought in a comprehensive way. The Drought Relief and Resilience Act includes feedback from nearly 1,000 Californians from all over the state, including those from cities and rural areas.

Advocating for long-term and comprehensive solutions to address California's drought since coming to Congress, Bera has voted repeatedly to fund upgrades at the Folsom Dam, a project that creates infrastructure jobs while boosting Folsom Lake's water storage capacity to hold onto more water during drought years, fighting for legislation to increase water storage at other California reservoirs, and supporting water recycling efforts. He's also working to provide resources to Sacramento County residents being impacted by the drought. For more information visit: /droughtrelief.

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.