Cox joins forces with fellow reps to push for western water infrastructure during COVID-10

Bureau of Reclamation facilities supply drinking water for 31 million people and irrigation water for over 10 million acres of farmland that produce 60 percent of the nation’s vegetables and a quarter of its fresh fruit and nut crops. 

“As Congress continues working to respond to the economic impacts of the pandemic, we must include funding for Bureau of Reclamation projects, especially those that increase our water storage capacity,” said Cox. “Upgrading water infrastructure in the Central Valley is overdue, and the economic recovery is an opportunity to address these critical needs.”

In the letter, Cox and his fellow House members write: “Farms and farmworkers are continuing to work through the COVID-19 pandemic, providing one of our most important resources: food. It is essential that financial resources for the infrastructure so critical to water supply and feeding our nation are included in any COVID-19 infrastructure funding package.” 

Cox’s letter was also signed by representative Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-7), Julia Brownley, (CA-26), Jim Costa (CA-16, John Garamendi (CA-3), Deb Haaland (NM-1), and Josh Harder, (CA-10). 

Read the full text of the letter here.