California Drought Provisions Included in Energy and Water Spending Bill and Other Measures

This week, the House of Representatives voted and rejected the $37.4 billion FY 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations measure (H.R. 5055).  The Senate version of the FY17 Energy and Water Appropriations measure passed two weeks ago.  The bill became more controversial after a series of amendments were attached to the bill on issues ranging from sanctuary cities to transgender bathrooms.  Read More…

Included in the House bill are portions of a California drought bill (HR 2898) adopted last year that would lift environmental restrictions on pumping and delivering water to central and southern California.  Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) introduced an amendment to strike the California drought provisions, but the amendment failed along a party line vote.  The House has included the drought provisions in other House measures including two other appropriations bills and an energy policy bill (HR 8), which is expected to go to a conference committee with a related Senate bill.  House leaders are intent to force the Senate to reach a compromise on California drought issues during this session of Congress.