Fish Screen Stimulus

by DEVIN NUNES

Today, the House Resources Committee held another hearing on the California water crisis. Predictably, the Democratic leadership blocked consideration of any legislation that would actually make a difference.

However, the American people are finally seeing the fruits of many months of hard work on the part of Congressional Democrats. Pelosi and her team now plan to pass legislation that authorizes stimulus money to be used on fish screens (I’m not joking). Apparently, smelt, salmon and killer whales everywhere are celebrating Congress’ commitment to the environment. But food lines in the valley are getting longer.

My testimony and several other clips have been posted my YouTube Channel. Please click here to watch.

The hearing today came on the heels of another propaganda victory by radical environmentalists – this time in the Sacramento Bee. In a 2,500 word editorial, long by any editorial standard, a radical environmentalist associated with High Country News boldly attempted to re-write history. Using the regurgitated talking points of President Obama’s water czar David Hayes, the author sought to marginalize my effort to turn on the pumps.

Not content with misleading statements about the cause of our water shortages, the author goes further and attacked those of us working to restore the flow of water. He described me as a “hot head” for forcing votes on restoring the flow of water to San Joaquin Valley communities. I always thought a hot head was someone who was quick tempered and threatened to punch someone during a disagreement, which is what Senator Dianne Feinstein did just last year. But you wouldn’t know that reading the Bee because Feinstein is described as a champion for valley farmers.

That’s because the author and his friends don’t like to hear the plain spoken truth, particularly on the national airwaves, and instead prefer the well trained behavior exhibited by California’s Democratic Senators. Paul Rodriguez, Ray Appleton, Sean Hannity, Inga Barks, Chris Daniel and the “sign waving flag totting throngs” who listen to them are not important. We are viewed as the uneducated masses, a backwards group of people in need of enlightenment.

And maybe some “enlightenment” is needed. But not about the history of the Delta or the nature of Mother Earth. The readers of the Sacramento Bee need to be enlightened about the radical environmental movement. If you visit the High Country News website, you will discover that the author of the Bee editorial and his friends are part of the “Environmental Justice” movement – a group of radicals who want to protect Mother Earth by forcing everyone to live according to their bizarre formula of sustainability. This means, in part, that commercial agriculture as we know it today will have to be abandoned and regions like ours will not be farmed.

Misleading editorials like this one should come with disclaimers. Newspapers should be doing more to inform the public about what is really happening. We need to regain control of our government and we need the pumps turned back on.

Obama Admits Roadmap Reforms Are Legitimate

by DEVIN NUNES

I and a growing number of others believe Congress needs to act today to address our nation’s long-term financial challenges and we have a plan. Our proposal is called “A Roadmap for America’s Future” (Roadmap for short) and was introduced in Congress on January 27th (see video).

Today, President Obama admitted that our plan, authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (WI), was a legitimate attempt to solve the economic and fiscal crisis facing the United States (see the video here). In fact, to date, the Roadmap is the only bill that addresses both short and long term challenges related to our economy, health care system, and entitlement programs.

More information about this important reform package can be found by visiting my webpage www.nunes.house.gov or by visiting http://www.americanroadmap.org/.

Republican Congressmen Blast Administration’s Misleading Announcement on Water Delivery to San Joaquin Valley Farmers

January 27, 2010

The Department of the Interior announced that it would "make available" nearly 400,000 acre feet of water from the San Luis Reservoir. Secretary Salazar failed to explain that this is not "new" water, but actually saved water bought and paid for by water users. In this case, at the end of every year, farmers conserve water to ensure that they will have enough water for the beginning of the next planting season. Farmers have paid for this water and store it in the San Luis Reservoir, as they do every year. The Department of the Interior is under contract to deliver this stored water back to the farmers. Secretary Salazar’s claim that this "assured water supply" is a result of recent storms is misleading and provides false hope to Valley residents.

"The actions of the Department of Interior are a classic Ponzi scheme that would make Bernard Madoff jealous. In this case, the Secretary is providing water users with the water they already bought. The Secretary’s generosity knows no bounds. Mr. Salazar seems to think he can gift to farmers their own water. This kind of thinking is exactly why radical environmentalists dominate Washington. Salazar, the Obama Administration, and the Democratic Congress refuse to recognize property rights. Whether the property in question is your water, land or hard earned tax dollars, everything is fair game to them. If you are lucky enough to get to keep what you have worked hard for, Obama and his crew will send out a press release and take credit." - Congressman Devin Nunes, sponsor of H.R. 3105 (CA- 21)

"The Administration is publicly patting itself on the back for doing exactly what they are obligated to do – provide farmers with the water they already own. Political spin will not help the thousands who are unemployed, and it will not help the farmers who have had no choice but to sell their land and lay off workers. They need real action, and they need it now. We have the ability to solve this problem - all we have to do is turn on the pumps. If Secretary Salazar wants to prove that this Administration hasn’t turned its back on San Joaquin Valley communities, he will support legislation to restore the flow of water." - House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Republican Doc Hastings (WA-04) 

The day after our water forum in Fresno, the Interior Secretary used his authority to 'release' up to 400,000 acre-feet of water already owned by Central Valley farmers. Having demonstrated his authority to act, he now needs to follow through and release the water that he holds hostage to the Delta Smelt." - House Water and Power Ranking Republican Tom McClintock (CA-04) 

"This is just one more example where this Administration gives the appearance of addressing a problem, when all they are really doing is providing window-dressing. Secretary Salazar is playing politics when we need real, long-term solutions that bring people back to work. As I heard at our recent Congressional Water Forum in Fresno, the time to act is now." - Western Caucus Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01)

"We are in a dire water situation in California, and are facing a situation where a tiny fish is taking precedence over our local farmers and workers, which is killing jobs and our local economies. The Central Valley should not be ignored as we suffer thorough a man made drought caused by regulations resulting in mandated water reductions. Our farmers, families, and communities are tired of the continued lip service paid to our problems, and it is time for the Administration and the Democratic Leadership to wake up and get the message that jobs grow where water flows." - Congressman Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) 

Background:On Monday, January 25th, Republican Members of Congress hosted a Water Forum in Fresno, California on addressing the San Joaquin Valley water crisis. Secretary Salazar turned down an invitation to participate in this forum or send a representative from the Department of the Interior. Hundreds of farmers and residents throughout the Valley attended the meeting and expressed the urgent need for the government to take action to restore the flow of water to farmers. 

Congressman Devin Nunes has introduced "Turn on the Pumps Act" (H.R. 3105), to provide immediate relief. This bill would suspend portions of the Endangered Species Act to turn the pumps on to full operating capacity. Secretary Salazar and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have refused to support this legislation.

My opening statement at the Congressional forum/townhall in Fresno on the San Joaquin Valley water crisis

Mr. Chairman,

The tragedy blanketing the San Joaquin Valley has been
decades in the making.

For four decades the radical environmental community has
relentlessly abused our judicial and political system.  This has placed a
stranglehold on our economic future. 

In 1970, we saw the enactment of the National Environmental
Policy Act followed by the Endangered Species Act three years later. 
These two laws have created a cottage industry of environmental lawyers
marching to the agenda of the 1960s radicals. 

In 1992, Congress passed the Central Valley Project
Improvement Act – also known as the Miller/Bradley – drafted by left wing
liberals who had strong ties to the radical environmental movement.

This bill alone dedicated over 400 billion gallons of
California water to the environment.  At the time, we were told this is
all the water that will be needed to restore the ailing Delta. 

Since then we have seen hundreds of environmental lawsuits;
biological opinions on the Delta smelt and Killer Whale; and a disastrous San Joaquin
River Settlement – all taking an additional 325 billion gallons of water we
cannot spare.

Today, 46% of all our State’s developed water is dedicated
to the environment and 76% of all water arriving in the Delta dumps into the
ocean.  Yet, we are no closer to a solution on the Delta.

Enough is enough.

The hardworking families in the San Joaquin Valley have been
vilified as a scourge to our environment.  They have been told that the
life of a three inch minnow is more valuable than their jobs. And in
consolation for their unemployment, they are offered token government
assistance – including carrots from China.

This is turning our great valley into a barren desert where
tumble weeds are king and famers are endangered species.

A simple solution exists.  Turn on the pumps.

It was done ten years ago in New Mexico, and if it was
justified in that case, it is even more justified now.

But, all we get from Secretary Salazar are hollow promises
and shuffled papers.

In fact, the Secretary declined to participate today simply
sending the following statement:

“Representatives of the Department, including the Secretary
and Deputy Secretary, have traveled to the Central Valley and learned
first-hand of the conditions caused by the current drought.  The department
wants the residents of the Central Valley to know of our continuing attention
to and concern over this situation …”

Mr. Chairman, there isn’t a drought of water in this valley
– there is a drought of political courage in Washington. 

My opening statement at the Congressional forum/townhall in Fresno on the San Joaquin Valley water crisis

Mr. Chairman,

The tragedy blanketing the San Joaquin Valley has beendecades in the making.

For four decades the radical environmental community hasrelentlessly abused our judicial and political system.  This has placed astranglehold on our economic future. 

In 1970, we saw the enactment of the National EnvironmentalPolicy Act followed by the Endangered Species Act three years later. These two laws have created a cottage industry of environmental lawyersmarching to the agenda of the 1960s radicals. 

In 1992, Congress passed the Central Valley ProjectImprovement Act – also known as the Miller/Bradley – drafted by left wingliberals who had strong ties to the radical environmental movement.

This bill alone dedicated over 400 billion gallons ofCalifornia water to the environment.  At the time, we were told this isall the water that will be needed to restore the ailing Delta. 

Since then we have seen hundreds of environmental lawsuits;biological opinions on the Delta smelt and Killer Whale; and a disastrous San JoaquinRiver Settlement – all taking an additional 325 billion gallons of water wecannot spare.

Today, 46% of all our State’s developed water is dedicatedto the environment and 76% of all water arriving in the Delta dumps into theocean.  Yet, we are no closer to a solution on the Delta.

Enough is enough.

The hardworking families in the San Joaquin Valley have beenvilified as a scourge to our environment.  They have been told that thelife of a three inch minnow is more valuable than their jobs. And inconsolation for their unemployment, they are offered token governmentassistance – including carrots from China.

This is turning our great valley into a barren desert wheretumble weeds are king and famers are endangered species.

A simple solution exists.  Turn on the pumps.

It was done ten years ago in New Mexico, and if it wasjustified in that case, it is even more justified now.

But, all we get from Secretary Salazar are hollow promisesand shuffled papers.

In fact, the Secretary declined to participate today simplysending the following statement:

“Representatives of the Department, including the Secretaryand Deputy Secretary, have traveled to the Central Valley and learnedfirst-hand of the conditions caused by the current drought.  The departmentwants the residents of the Central Valley to know of our continuing attentionto and concern over this situation …”

Mr. Chairman, there isn’t a drought of water in this valley– there is a drought of political courage in Washington. 

Secretary Ken Salazar and the Department of the Interior will not be attending the town hall on Monday

The ineptness of Secretary Ken Salazar and the Department of the Interior continues unchecked. They refuse to turn on the pumps, they refuse to build the two gates project, and now they refuse to attend a water town hall in Fresno on Monday – a town hall in which they would hear directly from the citizens.

Read for yourself – this is the statement they sent:

“Because of other commitments, particularly the NAS panel meeting happening the same day in Davis, the Department of the Interior will be unable to send a representative to the event. We are aware of the severe economic and social impacts on Central Valley communities of the water supply situation. Representatives of the Department, including the Secretary and Deputy Secretary, have traveled to the Central Valley and learned first-hand of the conditions caused by the current drought. The department wants the residents of the Central Valley to know of our continuing attention to and concern over this situation, and that we remain committed to taking short and long-term actions that can address the situation.”

They have said the same thing for a year! When will they actually do something?

I urge you to attend this town hall at the Fresno City Council Chambers, 2600 Fresno Street, 2nd floor, Fresno, California on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 8:30am. Diverse witnesses will be invited to testify and members of the public will have the opportunity to speak.