U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, both representing Texas and members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have introduced the Ensuring Predictable and Reliable Water Deliveries Act of 2025. The proposed legislation seeks to improve enforcement of the 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico, which governs water deliveries from the Colorado, Tijuana, and Rio Grande rivers.
Under this treaty, Mexico is required to deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year over a five-year period—a total of 1.75 million acre-feet. However, according to data from the International Boundary and Water Commission as of October 24, 2025, Mexico had delivered only about 885,000 acre-feet for the most recent cycle ending in October 2025. This represents approximately half of its obligation.
The bill includes provisions for imposing restrictions on Mexico if it does not meet these obligations. Measures may include denying non-treaty water requests from Mexico—except in cases deemed vital to U.S. national interests—and limiting or ending engagement with Mexican sectors affected by these shortfalls.
Senator 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.”
Senator Cornyn added: “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.”
If enacted into law, this legislation would require annual reports from the Secretary of State regarding whether Mexico met its yearly quota; whether it can fulfill total obligations by each five-year deadline; and whether any key economic activities in either country are impacted by these shortfalls.
In recent years Senator Cruz has been active in efforts related to these issues: he led a Senate effort with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins resulting in a $280 million block grant for producers in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley affected by insufficient Mexican water deliveries; supported additional aid for South Texas agricultural producers; and worked with Senator Cornyn on legislative amendments intended as frameworks for improving compliance with treaty requirements.
Ted Cruz’s involvement comes after his reelection victories over Colin Allred in 2024 (53.1%–44.6%), Beto O'Rourke in 2018 (50.9%–48.3%), and Paul Sadler in 2012 (56.5%–40.6%).
