(Editor’s Note: The following was received from Congressman Kevin McCarthy on three California-related items)
On Funding California Water Projects
“I want to commend President Trump and Secretary Zinke for prioritizing much-needed water infrastructure projects in California. These recommended funds will advance the Shasta Reservoir Enlargement Project to the design and pre-construction phase. Additionally, these funds will be used to complete the Sites Reservoir and Temperance Flat Reservoir studies that have been pending for decades. These three projects alone would create 3.6 million acre-feet of new water storage in our state. Funding has also been recommended for starting the process of fixing subsidence on the Friant-Kern Canal, which would restore 3,000 acre-feet/day for conveyance that directly benefits communities and farms on the eastern side of the Central Valley in Tulare and Kern counties. This action is the direct result of the WIIN Act that was signed into law in 2016 and through subsequent funding provided by Congress. The WIIN Act included the largest reforms to California water policy in 25 years and prioritizes water storage projects and water deliveries to the Central Valley and Southern California. The recommendation from the Interior Department shows that this new law is working. I look forward to working with the Appropriations Committee to ensure Interior’s recommendations are enacted into law as we finalize this year’s spending bill.”
On Sanctuary Cities and State (from Fox Business Interview)
KEVIN MCCARTHY: The whole concept of having a sanctuary state in California–that you are going to pick and choose what law that you are going to uphold goes against everything that makes us the United States of America. It goes against the core of who we are. That’s why it is so disturbing what they [Oakland] is doing…. That to me is so offensive. And knowing what has happened in the past in San Francisco, where an individual was murdered by and illegal person who came here [illegally] five times with a weapon. This to me is appalling.
MARIA BARTIROMO: At this point there are sanctuary cities. Is there nothing that can be done about this? How does a city overstep the laws of the federal government?
MCCARTHY: The United States cannot sustain themselves if this continues to happen. We have taken action inside of the House and the Senate. I know the President is appalled by this as well.
BARTIROMO: The President said that he would actually consider taking ICE agents out of California. Was he joking do you think?
MCCARTHY: Well no, I think he was making a very strong point. As a Californian I fear of that. One of the most important things we do as a federal government is we protect our borders…. This is why I think this individual [Oakland Mayor] is wrong, especially as an elected official…. We are a land of law and I don’t understand how we can sustain this or continue this.
BARTIROMO: Yeah, I agree with you.
On California Democrats Not Endorsing Sen. Feinstein (from Fox Business Interview)
MARIA BARTIROMO: Democrats in California snubbing a party icon. What about this? Nearly two-thirds of the delegates voting against endorsing Senator Dianne Feinstein for a fifth term this weekend. What do you make of this lack of support for her in your home state?
KEVIN MCCARTHY: I think it shows how far [left] the Democratic party is in California. I read a headline this morning that said Nancy Pelosi is the most conservative Democrat running for her seat. Think about that? The nation looks at where Nancy Pelosi is and she’s the most conservative Democrat in San Francisco. They are so out of step with the rest of the party and so out of step with the rest of the country…. Look at the challenge that we have now–the highest gasoline tax, the [income] tax being the highest. We are losing people day after day that create jobs based upon the oppressive taxes that Governor Brown and the legislature have put in. And think of the number of Democrats that have had to resign…they had to remove a Democrat [Sen. Tony Mendoza] who was the roommate of the individual running against Feinstein, Kevin de Leon because of sexual harassment last week.