Austin News

On May 13, 2024, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), along with Representatives Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), and Keith Self (TX-03) penned a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations. The Texas lawmakers urged their colleagues to withhold designated funds from Mexico until it fulfills its obligations under the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

In their letter, they wrote: “The 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico obligates both countries to share water resources from the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Mexico still fails to provide minimum, consistent water deliveries to the United States from the Rio Grande, instead waiting until the end of a five-year cycle to deliver the water owed to America."

They further highlighted that while America provides consistent annual water deliveries to Mexico, Mexican practices pose serious threats to agricultural, industrial, and municipal sectors in border states. They cited an example where in February 2024, due to lack of water deliveries from Mexico, a sugar mill in Texas had to close down. This mill was last of its kind in Texas employing over 500 full-time and part-time employees.

The legislators expressed their concern about farmers and ranchers across South Texas who are under continued financial strain due to this issue. They emphasized that if Mexico continues withholding water, other industries could face similar fate as that of sugar industry.

Their plea concluded with: “As efforts at negotiating a reasonable compromise between our countries have failed to produce an amenable solution for our constituents, we urge you and your colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to withhold designated funds from Mexico until Mexico has agreed to provide more reliable and consistent water deliveries to the United States.”

The full text of the letter is a part of ongoing efforts by Senator Cornyn to boost Texas’ water supply and ensure Mexico fulfills its treaty obligations. He has personally engaged with Secretary of State Antony Blinken multiple times, including a call last month with members of the Texas delegation and a call in August of last year.

In February, Senators Cornyn and Cruz raised alarms after a Rio Grande sugarcane mill closed due to acute water shortages. In September of last year, Senator Cornyn cosponsored a resolution supporting diplomacy, and in May of last year, he sent a letter to Secretary Blinken urging the U.S. State Department to engage on Mexico’s violation of the intent of the treaty. Earlier this month, Senator Cornyn cosponsored legislation led by Senator Cruz to enhance support for U.S. diplomats and officials seeking to secure Mexican compliance with the treaty and ensure future deliveries of water by Mexico are predictable and reliable.