BAKERSFIELD, CA- There's a water fight underway on Capitol Hill, after a bill passed the House of Representatives Wednesday to address California's water crisis. The Emergency Water Delivery Act generated a heated debate between Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
Republicans said the water act will allow more water to be sent from pumps in the delta, south to San Joaquin Valley farms and cities.
Two local congressmen, David Valadao and Kevin McCarthy, are co-sponsors of the water act.
"So what does this bill actually do? Well first and foremost, it puts families before fish. It goes back to an agreement that everybody agreed upon, and it, it moves us in a place where we can prepare," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy the House Majority Whip.
But, Democrats said the bill, if passed, will steal water that rightfully belongs to people up north and could harm efforts to restore the San Joaquin River's salmon habitat.
"This is essentially throwing a grenade in California water that would ignite a water war unlike anything we have ever seen," said Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman of San Rafael.
But, Republicans said the water act would also reform federal laws that have led to severe cuts in water deliveries, with hundreds of billions of gallons of fresh water being flushed into the ocean.
"Any body that claims to be helpful of those in need of our help the most and votes against this bill is literally saying I want to raise the cost of food to everybody in the United States," said Republican Rep. David Valadao of Hanford.
After the house vote Wednesday, California senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer fired back at their GOP colleagues in the house.
Feinstein said in a statement: "I Intend to introduce legislation soon with Senator Boxer to offer relief for California and other drought-stricken states and to streamline federal projects and operations."
Senator boxer said: "While House Republicans are pursuing divisive and discredited policies, we will be proposing solutions that will help bring relief to the communities hardest hit by this unprecedented drought."
The Republican's bill now moves to the senate.
Republicans said the water act will allow more water to be sent from pumps in the delta, south to San Joaquin Valley farms and cities.
Two local congressmen, David Valadao and Kevin McCarthy, are co-sponsors of the water act.
"So what does this bill actually do? Well first and foremost, it puts families before fish. It goes back to an agreement that everybody agreed upon, and it, it moves us in a place where we can prepare," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy the House Majority Whip.
But, Democrats said the bill, if passed, will steal water that rightfully belongs to people up north and could harm efforts to restore the San Joaquin River's salmon habitat.
"This is essentially throwing a grenade in California water that would ignite a water war unlike anything we have ever seen," said Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman of San Rafael.
But, Republicans said the water act would also reform federal laws that have led to severe cuts in water deliveries, with hundreds of billions of gallons of fresh water being flushed into the ocean.
"Any body that claims to be helpful of those in need of our help the most and votes against this bill is literally saying I want to raise the cost of food to everybody in the United States," said Republican Rep. David Valadao of Hanford.
After the house vote Wednesday, California senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer fired back at their GOP colleagues in the house.
Feinstein said in a statement: "I Intend to introduce legislation soon with Senator Boxer to offer relief for California and other drought-stricken states and to streamline federal projects and operations."
Senator boxer said: "While House Republicans are pursuing divisive and discredited policies, we will be proposing solutions that will help bring relief to the communities hardest hit by this unprecedented drought."
The Republican's bill now moves to the senate.