Sen. Cruz Introduces Legislation to Hold Mexico Accountable for Lack of Water Deliveries to Texas

WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced theEnsuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025. The bill strengthens enforcement of the 1944 Water Treaty relating to the utilization of the waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande between the United States and Mexico, and holds the Mexican government accountable for not meeting its water delivery requirements under the treaty, which mandates that Mexico deliver 350,000 acre-feet of water per year over a five-year cycle, a total of 1.75 million acre-feet.
The last five-year cycle ended in October 2025. According to the International Boundary and Water Commission, as of October 24, 2025, Mexico ended the cycle having delivered approximately 885,000 acre-feet,barely 50 percent of its total obligation of 1.75 million acre-feet.
The bill imposes restrictions and measures against Mexico if it does not meet its average annualized obligation.
Sen. Cruz said,“Mexico has consistently failed to meet its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty, cycle after cycle. The Mexican government exploits the structure of the treaty to defer and delay its deliveries in each individual year until it becomes impossible for it to meet its overall obligations, and it continues to fail to meet its obligation to deliver water to the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty. These failures are catastrophic for Texas farmers and ranchers, who rely on regular and complete deliveries by Mexico under the treaty and are on the front lines of this crisis, facing water shortages that threaten agriculture and livestock. Without stronger congressional pressure and oversight, Mexico will continue to fail to meet its obligations. My bill applies that pressure and strengthens oversight. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation to protect Texas agriculture, ranching, and the American food supply.”
Sen. Cornyn said,“Mexico has repeatedly failed to uphold the 1944 Water Treaty, including last month when they missed the five-year deadline to deliver the 1.75 million acre-feet of water owed to the United States. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation alongside Senator Cruz, which will put added pressure on Mexico to live up to its obligations under the Treaty, ensure the South Texas agriculture community has the water it needs, and impose harsher penalties on Mexico should they choose to continue withholding the water we’re owed.”
Read the bill texthere.
BACKGROUND
This legislation would require the U.S. Secretary of State to report to Congress within 180 days of enactment and annually thereafter whether Mexico:
If the report determines that Mexico has not met its obligations, the President is authorized to impose any of the following measures:
Sen. Cruz has led the push to ensure that Mexico delivers water to Texas that it is obligated to provide under the 1944 Water Treaty: