WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) within the U.S. Department of State signed an agreement with Mexico on the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande that provides Mexico with new tools to facilitate water deliveries to the United States:

“I appreciate Commissioner Giner’s willingness to foster open dialogue between Mexico and the State Department to negotiate new tools that will further pressure Mexico to meet their obligations under this treaty, but there is still much more work to be done,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Our border communities in the Rio Grande Valley are being crushed by Mexico’s repeatedly delayed water deliveries, and I urge the State Department to prioritize ensuring South Texas farmers and ranchers have the water they are rightfully owed on a more predictable basis.”

Background:

Under the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, Mexico is obligated to deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually over a five-year cycle as its contribution to the Rio Grande’s water supply. However, Mexico has consistently delayed fulfilling its water obligation until the end of the five-year cycle, which hinders South Texas farmers and ranchers from being able to plan for and grow crops. As of November 2024, Mexico is behind approximately 980,000 acre-feet on water deliveries.

The new agreement will allow for transfer of ownership at the Amistad and Falcon Reservoirs, permit Mexico to receive potential credit for deliveries made earlier in the cycle, and give them the opportunity to consider deliveries from the San Juan and Alamo Rivers to address the shortfall if agreed to by the U.S.

Sen. Cornyn has repeatedly worked to boost Texas’ water supply and ensure Mexico fulfills its treaty obligations to provide annual deliveries of water to South Texas farmers and ranchers. Earlier this year, he led a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State and Foreign Operations urging them to withhold designated funds from Mexico until they enter into an agreement with the U.S. to balance the deficit of the water deliveries, which the House Appropriations Committee has included (see page 218) in their funding bill. In May, Sen. Cornyn cosponsored legislation led by Sen. Cruz to enhance support for U.S. diplomats and officials seeking to secure Mexican compliance. Sen. Cornyn has also personally engaged with Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the phone multiple times and by letter. In February, Sens. Cornyn and Cruz raised alarms after a Rio Grande sugarcane mill closed due to acute water shortages, and in September of last year, Sen. Cornyn cosponsored a resolution supporting diplomacy.