Cornyn Introduces Water Assurance and Treaty Enforcement for the Rio Grande Farmers Act

Cornyn Introduces Water Assurance and Treaty Enforcement for the Rio Grande Farmers Act News Cornyn Introduces Water Assurance and Treaty Enforcement for the Rio Grande Farmers Act Bill Would Impose Tariffs on Mexico for Refusal to Send Water to U.S., Help Reimburse Agriculture Producers for Economic Losses May 14, 2026 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced the Water Assurance and Treaty Enforcement for the Rio Grande Farmers Act , or WATER for Farmers Act, which would impose penalties in the form of tariffs on Mexico if the country continues to violate the 1944 Water Treaty by refusing to send the water they owe to the United States. This legislation would also provide a mechanism to compensate American agricultural producers for economic losses resulting from Mexico’s water delivery shortfalls. “Water shortages created by Mexico’s failure to follow the 1944 Water Treaty have wreaked havoc on the ability of South Texas farmers and ranchers to plan and to tend their crops and livestock, hurting both them and our state’s economy,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to introduce the Water Assurance and Treaty Enforcement for the Rio Grande Farmers or WATER for Farmers Act, which will impose tariffs on Mexico if they continue in their delinquency of water deliveries and use the tariff revenue to compensate South Texas farmers. “ Background: If Mexico falls short of the minimum water delivery required under the 1944 Water Treaty, the Water Assurance and Treaty Enforcement for the Rio Grande Farmers Act would empower the United States to: Impose tariffs on Mexican agricultural products or other goods that have a significant economic impact on Mexico and/or goods produced in areas utilizing water that should flow to the Rio Grande River; And provide direct financial compensation to agricultural producers who have suffered economic losses from water shortages. 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’ ability to plan for and grow crops as well as ranchers’ ability to provide water to livestock. Sen. Cornyn has led the charge in Congress to boost South Texas’ water supply and ensure Mexico fulfills its treaty obligations to provide annual deliveries of water to South Texas farmers and ranchers. In addition to securing more than $280 million in emergency assistance for Rio Grande Valley farmers and producers affected by the water shortage, he led a request last year to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asking for renewed efforts to force Mexico to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty while also securing Secretary Rubio’s commitment to hold Mexico accountable for delays. In January, Sen. Cornyn sent a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer urging him to bring up the ongoing 1944 Water Treaty issue during the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) joint review to require Mexico to comply with its annual water deliveries to the United States. Previously, Sen. Cornyn sent a letter to NADBank urging for the restoration of their Water Infrastructure Fund, raised alarms after a Rio Grande sugarcane mill closed due to acute water shortages, cosponsored a resolution supporting diplomacy, and sent a letter to then-U.S. Secretary of State Blinken urging the Department to engage on Mexico’s violation of the intent of the treaty. Senator Cornyn also 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 included in their funding bill. The Senator also introduced legislation last year to hold the Mexican government accountable for not meeting its water delivery requirements. This legislation is endorsed by Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Citrus Mutual, Texas Vegetable Association, and Texas International Produce Association.