Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Mexico Water Treaty Delivery

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the announcement that Mexico delivered at least 350,000 acre-feet of water in 2026 pursuant to its obligations under the 1944 treaty with the United States. Sen. Cruz said, “Mexico failed to meet its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty for years under Joe Biden, wrongly denying Texas farmers and communities reliable and sufficient water. I have worked hand-in-hand with President Trump, Secretary Rollins, Secretary Rubio, and other Trump administration officials to remedy these shortfalls, and I am proud to have authored and passed into law language holding Mexico accountable. “Thanks to these efforts, Mexico finally met its annual water delivery requirement of 350,000 acre-feet of water, but it still owes the United States more than 860,000 acre-feet of water. I will continue working alongside President Trump to ensure Mexico fulfills its obligations and that Texas farmers receive the reliable and predictable water supplies they need.” BACKGROUND: Under the 1944 Water Treaty , Mexico is required to deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the United States, totaling 1.75 million acre-feet over a five-year cycle. The deliveries provide water to South Texas farmers and communities that depend on the Rio Grande. Sen. Cruz has taken the following actions to address Mexico's water delivery shortfalls under the 1944 Water Treaty: Sen. Cruz led the effort in the U.S. Senate to secure a $280 million block grant , with the help of USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. The grant provides support for agricultural producers in the Rio Grande Valley affected by Mexico's failure to meet its obligations. Sen. Cruz championed a provision providing support for South Texas agricultural producers affected by Mexico's failure to meet its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty. Sen. Cruz filed an amendment creating a framework to ensure Mexico complies with its water delivery obligations. In November 2025, Sen. Cruz introduced the Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025 , legislation to strengthen enforcement of the 1944 Water Treaty. Sen. Cruz secured language in the FY2026 consolidated appropriations package requiring the Secretary of State to certify whether Mexico is meeting its water delivery requirements and withholding certain funds made available under the Act if the Secretary determines that Mexico is not in compliance.