SAN JUAN, Texas - U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez has criticized Republicans for trying to take credit for funds headed the way of Rio Grande Valley farmers.
At a ranch in San Juan on Wednesday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said her department will bedispersing $280 million to Valley farmers impacted by Mexico's failure to deliver water under the terms of a 1944 Water Treaty. Rollins praised U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Monica de la Cruz, both Republicans, for their help in securing the funds.
Gonzalez, a Democrat from McAllen, said: “I’m proud to see our agricultural producers are finally getting some relief after the prolonged droughts the Rio Grande Valley has been experiencing and failed water deliveries from Mexico. But let’s be clear: this funding comes from the December 2024 stop gap appropriations bill, which passed Congress thanks to Democratic votes and was signed into law by the previous administration.”
Gonzalez described the $280 million as a band-aid.
“Our region’s agriculture producers continue to be on the brink of extinction. However, this band-aid won’t help for long. It’s past time Congress pass the Farm Bill and regular appropriations bills,” Gonzalez said.
“On the other hand, I am appalled that the current administration and their congressional allies are not giving credit where credit is due. This issue is not a partisan issue and has long held bipartisan support. This is a shameful attempt to pull the wool over South Texans’ eyes.”
Gonzalez said that under the agreement, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will be responsible for the disbursal of funds to qualifying producers in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande River Valley Water District that experienced water delivery losses in calendar years 2023 and 2024.
He said eligible producers must have retained a certificate from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Division authorizing the diversion of water in calendar years 2023 and/or water in calendar years 2023 and/or 2024.
Gonzalez added that more information will be provided by TDA.
Rollins was flanked by Sen. Cruz and Rep. De La Cruz when she made the announcement about emergency relief for Valley farmers. It came during a press conference where Mexico was heavily criticized for not providing the U.S. the water it owes under a 1944 water sharing treaty.
Rollins said: “So the final thing I want to say is… today, just an hour ago, we announced that the United States Department of Agriculture, thanks to the great warriors on my left and my right, will be dispersing $280 million in funds to the farmers of this area who have been impacted by Mexico's failure to deliver on their promises under the 1944 Water Treaty.”
Rollins said the monies will start to be disbursed immediately.
“The way it will work is we'll block grant that to your great Texas Department of Agriculture here in Texas, and Commissioner Sid Miller and his team - we’ve got his team here today - will be the ones to begin immediately moving that money out.”
Rollins added: “But listen, that's only a short term fix. We know that long term, that Mexico has to abide by those terms in that (1944) agreement. That the days of ignoring it, the days of ignoring NAFTA terms, the days of ignoring USMCA terms, the day of ignoring this water treaty are over.
“President Donald Trump is in the Oval Office, and he will not take anything but what's right for America every day, every minute, and that's what we're fighting for.”
