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August 24, 2018
Dear friend,
I invited Secretary of the Interior Zinke to the Central Valley to witness the direct impacts that Sacramento’s dangerous water grab would have on our community and our message was successfully delivered.
A few weeks ago, the Secretary and I toured the Don Pedro and New Melones Reservoirs in order for the Secretary to see first-hand the importance of these critical water storage projects, as well as to discuss the urgent need for more water storage and protecting Valley water rights. Following the Secretary’s Visit, the Department of the Interior (DOI) released a statement noting that Sacramento’s proposed water grab would “directly interfere with the New Melones Project’s ability to store water.” It also recognized that the grab violates the structure of our water rights and authorities that were put in place by Congress.
Since then, Secretary Zinke has issued an internal memo directing his agencies to develop a plan within the next 25 days to maximize water supply, construct new water storage, and resolve issues with the state. His memo called Sacramento’s water grab an “unacceptable restriction” that hinders the Department of the Interior’s mission to deliver water to the Central Valley.
I am dedicated to working with the Administration to put an end to the state’s water grab, and while the support of the Secretary and the Bureau of Reclamation is a major step in the right direction, this fight is not over yet. That is why I passed an amendment through the U.S. House of Representatives that prevents any federal agency from participating in the state’s plan, meaning that water from the federally-owned New Melones can’t be used in the state’s water grab. Awaiting a vote in the Senate, my amendment protects a critical piece of our water storage, while at the same time putting an end to this misguided plan.
As your Representative, it is my duty to take this issue head-on to safeguard Valley water. I will not stop fighting to protect our water rights and to push policies like the New WATER Act that will help solve California’s storage crisis and keep the Valley fertile and prosperous for generations to come.
Addressing homelessness head-on
This week I held a roundtable in Modesto to bring local government officials, community activists, and citizens together to address our growing homelessness crisis here in the Valley. This crisis demands new, innovative solutions and a full scale effort locally and across all levels of government to combat homelessness, and this roundtable was a step towards making that happen.
On the federal level, I’m taking action to address this problem in Congress with legislation that will directly help groups here at home who are working to fight homelessness locally. I recently spearheaded an effort to save Transition Living Program (TLP) and Maternity Group Home (MGH) grants from a lapse in federal funding. This efforts success meant that organizations like the Center for Human Services in Modesto avoided a possible lapse in federal funds that would have caused major cuts or permanent closures. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 4099, the Homeless Veteran Families Act, H.R. 2069, the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act, and H.R. 5339, the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, important bills that help homeless veterans, improve residency for foster children, and bolster critical transitional living programs. I look forward to continuing to bring our community leaders together to help address this issue and plan on hosting a follow-up event at H.O.S.T. House in Patterson later this fall.
Check out my new veterans e-newsletter and subscribe
Each quarter I distribute a special edition newsletter with the latest veterans news out of Washington to local VFW Halls and on my website; but now you can subscribe to receive this special edition newsletter directly in your inbox by visiting www.Denham.house.gov/vets and filling out the form at the top of the page. I recently sent out my new veterans e-newsletter, including information about my VA COST SAVINGS Enhancement Act, my Vet-to-Farm amendment in the NDAA, and my work to ensure homeless veterans have equal access to housing assistance through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Click here to view the most recent edition online.
Upcoming Mobile District Office Hours
I have one Mobile District Office Hour (MDO) in the next week where constituents can meet with representatives from my district staff for assistance with variety of services and issues, including Medicare, Veterans Affairs, Social Security and the Internal Revenue Services (to name a few). For a full list of scheduled MDOs, visit the Upcoming Events section of my website. Casework assistance is always available through my Modesto office as well by calling 209-579-5458.
Tuesday, August 28 – Ripon
1-2 p.m.
Ripon Chamber of Commerce
104 South Stockton Ave, Ripon, CA 95366
In the News
August 22, 2018
Afghan who aided U.S. wants to live in California. Feds ignore House members’ questions
Emily Cadei, The Sacramento Bee
August 21, 2018
Zinke Directs Staff to Propose New Plan
California Ag Today
August 21, 2018
Congressman Jeff Denham Says Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke Agrees – Sacramento Water Grab “Unacceptable”
The Sierra Sun Times
August 21, 2018
Farmers protest California water plan aimed to save salmon
Kathleen Ronayne, The Associated Press
August 20, 2018
Heroes walk around park
Glenn Kahl, The Manteca Bulletin
August 19, 2018
Community and Congressman Rally Behind Attacked Sikh Men
Charmaine Nero, Fox40
August 19, 2018
Hundreds rally at Manteca peace march in support of Sikh man
Mike Leury, KCRA3
Sincerely,
Jeff Denham
Member of Congress
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