Washington, DC -- House Resources Committee Chairman Richard W. Pombo (R-Calif.) and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced their commitment today to work across party lines - and between Congressional chambers - to complete CALFED this year for California 's long-term water supply and delivery needs.

"The Congress has wrestled with CALFED for a decade," Chairman Pombo said. "The time has come to finish this process and provide certainty for the long-term water needs of California. With Senator Feinstein's tireless leadership in the Senate, I am now more confident than ever that we can carry this legislation over the finish line together. This effort will take bipartisan and bicameral cooperation, and I thank the Senator for her commitment to working across those lines."

Senator Feinstein successfully navigated S. 1097 to unanimous approval by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee last week. H.R. 2828, introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) also received unanimous support from the House Committee on Resources, chaired by Pombo.

"Though much work remains to be done, California is at long last on track to get a CALFED bill passed this year," Senator Feinstein said. "I want to thank Chairmen Pombo and Calvert for their efforts to see that this legislation is approved. I am committed to working with them and others to resolve any remaining differences between the bills, and it is my hope that this process can begin soon."

The House and Senate CALFED bills differ only slightly. Having garnered committee approval, both bills await floor consideration in their respective chamber and the appointment of a conference committee.

###