Mexico Resumes Water Payments Under 1944 Treaty, But Shortfalls Persist for Texas Producers

RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (RFD NEWS) — After years of delays, Mexico has begun making water payments to the United States under the terms of a 1944 water treaty. However, farmers say the amount of water delivered still falls short of requirements.

In an exclusive interview, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey what it took to pressure the Mexican government to resume payments under the agreement.

McCaffrey takes us to Texas to speak with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about the issue, where Sen. Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) emphasized that water access and treaty compliance remain major concerns for producers.

Both lawmakers believe water will be a significant topic during this year’s review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which President Donald Trump recently called “irrelevant.”

That review process is scheduled to begin this summer.

Related Stories
Mike Vanmaanen, president of the Livestock Marketing Association, joins us Friday on the Market Day Report for a closer look at the Heritage Act.
Keeping a close eye on Capitol Hill, farmers and ranchers wait with bated breath as President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” heads to the Senate. AFBF economist Danny Munch joins us for a closer look.
Ready for grilling season? Throw beef Strip Steaks and corn covered in a spicy, smoky seasoning mix on the grill for an easy, flavorful Mexican-inspired meal.
One skillet, five ingredients and a few minutes are all you need to get this spiced up hash on the table!
So, what’s the path forward for “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill” tax legislation? That’s the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV legal and tax expert Roger McEowen with Kansas’ Washburn School of Law.